HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/2026 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 5:00 PM
345 6th Street, Suite 100, Bremerton, WA 98337 - Phone (360) 473-5280
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1. BRIEFING: 5:00 – 5:30 P.M. in COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM 603
A. Review of Agenda
B. General Council Business (Only as necessary)
2. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 P.M. in FIRST FLOOR CHAMBERS
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Claims and Check Register
B. Minutes of Council Meeting – September 2, 2026
C. Minutes of Study Session – September 9, 2026
D. Authorize Creation of Probation and Treatment Court Administrator and Reallocation of Funding
4. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Public Hearing on Zoning Code Amendments to Bremerton Municipal Code Section 20.46.090 and
Temporary Encampment Permit
5. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Resolution No. 3418 giving 8th Street between Warren Ave and Pacific Avenue an honorary
designation of Bishop Robertson Way
6. MAYOR'S REPORT
7. COMMUNITY COMMENT – Please state your name for the record and limit comments to
90 seconds. This is an opportunity to address the Council on topics not included on the agenda but
still related to the work of the City Council.
8. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
9. ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Study Session Date: N/A
Claims & Check Register COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: Legal Services
Presenter: Angela Hoover
Phone: (360) 473-5323
SUMMARY: Approval of the following checks and electronic fund transfers:
1. Check Numbers 416110 – 416286 and EFT Numbers V47060 – V47163 in the grand total
amount of $1,987,023.33
2. Regular Payroll for pay period ending August 31, 2026 in the amount of $1,280,721.05
ATTACHMENTS:
FISCAL IMPACTS:
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☒ Consent Agenda ☐ General Business ☐ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move to approve the Claims & Check Register as presented.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
3A
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Minutes of Council Meeting – September 2,
2026
Study Session Date: N/A
COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: City Council
Presenter: Council President
Phone: (360) 473-5280
SUMMARY: The Minutes for the Council Meeting held on September 2, 2026 are attached.
ATTACHMENTS: Council Meeting Minutes
FISCAL IMPACTS (Include Budgeted Amount): None
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☒ Consent Agenda ☐ General Business ☐ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Mo ve to approve the September 2, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
3B
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order Wednesday,
September 2, 2026 at 5:05 PM in Council Conference Room 603 of the Norm Dicks Government Center,
345 6th Street, in Bremerton, Washington, with Council President Jane Rebelowski presiding.
Councilmembers present were Denise Frey, Christy Cammarata, Michael Goodnow, Anna Mockler,
and Rick Tift. Councilmember Jennifer Chamberlin was absent. At 5:30 PM, the meeting moved to
the First Floor Meeting Chambers. Also present were City Attorney Kylie Finnell; City Clerk Angela
Hoover; IT Manager Dave Sorensen; and Legislative Assistant Christine Grenier.
CONSENT AGENDA
3A – CLAIMS AND CHECK REGISTER
Check Numbers 415963 through 416109 and EFT Numbers V46957 through V47059 in the grand
total amount of $3,212,156.87. Regular Payroll for pay period ending August 15, 2026 in the
amount of $1,243,679.39. Retiree Payroll for pay period ending August 31, 2026 in the amount of
$41,396.15. Regular Payroll Payout for pay period ending August 15, 2026 in the amount of
$2,362.30
3B – MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING – AUGUST 19, 2026
3C – MINUTES OF STUDY SESSION – AUGUST 26, 2026
3D – CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF JOSE MALDONADO TO THE LODGING TAX ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
3E – SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 1 WITH WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SR 303 WARREN AVENUE BRIDGE PEDESTRIAN
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Comments were provided by 1 community member, 1 of which stated their name for the
record: Roy Runyon (Item 3E), with a response provided by President Rebelowski.
5:35 PM M/S/C/U (Frey/Mockler) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented.
Voted in Favor of Motion: Frey, Cammarata, Goodnow, Mockler, Tift, Rebelowski
Motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL BUSINESS
4A – RESOLUTION NO. 3417 DECLARING INTENTION TO ESTABLISH A PEDESTRIAN MALL
AT QUINCY SQUARE AND ESTABLISH THE EXTENT OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
LIMITATIONS: Public Works Project Manager Katie Ketterer presented on this item. The
resolution is to announce the City’s intent to create a pedestrian mall pursuant to Chapter 35.71
RCW at Quincy Square and establish the extent of vehicular traffic limitations. This is the first step
in designating Quincy Square as a pedestrian mall. Following adoption of the resolution declaring
the City’s intent, a public hearing will be held, followed by consideration of an ordinance by the City
Council.
Comments were provided by 8 community members, 7 of which stated their name for the
record: Lisa Hope (Kitsap History Museum Executive Director), Deborah Woolston, Mary Lou
Long, Alden Bradford, Roy Runyon, Robert Harris (NAACP Bremerton President), Chuck
Henderson (Downtown Property Manager).
6:03 PM Main Motion was made by Mockler; and Seconded by Frey. Comments were provided by
Mockler, Frey, Cammarata, Tift, Goodnow, Rebelowski, Frey, Goodnow, Mockler, Tift, Goodnow;
with responses provided by City Attorney Finnell and Ms. Ketterer.
6:21 PM Motion to Postpone to 1st Study Session in 2027 was made by Tift and died due to a lack
of a second.
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Page 2 of 3
6:36 PM M/S/C (Mockler/Frey) Move to adopt Resolution No. 3417, declaring the City’s intent to
create a pedestrian mall at Quincy Square pursuant to Chapter 35.71 RCW and establishing the
extent of vehicular traffic limitations within the pedestrian mall.
Voted in Favor of Motion: Frey, Cammarata, Goodnow, Mockler, Rebelowski
Voted Opposed to Motion: Tift
Motion carried; 5-Yes and 1-No
5 – MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Wheeler provided highlights of the following:
Reported on Doc Luv The Kids Day
Thanked Mick Hersey, WA Youth Academy, and the Parks Department for the clean-up and
improvements at the Kitsap 911 Memorial at Evergreen Rotary Park
Recognized Improvements now completed at Lions Park and along the shoreline at
Evergreen Park’s Smith Cove
Thanked the Parks Department’s Maintenance Team
2000 Road Bridge Installation completed
System Pedestrian Treatment Project completed
Parks and Recreation Fall Activity Guide is now available
Healthy Kids Running Series on Sundays from September 13 to October 11 at Pendergast
Regional Park
Announced “Ready Bremerton”, a free disaster preparedness fair on Saturday, September
19 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Evergreen Rotary Park
President Rebelowski announced that Community Comment (Item 7) would be heard before
Councilmember Reports (Item 6).
7 – COMMUNITY COMMENT
Comments were provided by 13 community members, 12 of which stated their name for the
record: Mary Lou Long, Joslyn (Bremerton Prayer Walk), David Rasmussen (Kitsap County
Department of Emergency Management), Amanda, Martitha May, Akuyea Karen Vargas, Taylor
Pugh, Sally Hass, Zachary Martin, Jose Camacho (Friends of Smith Cove, Rock The Block),
Roy Runyon, Christie Schultz
6 – COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Denise Frey announced “Bridging Bremerton” hosted by Josh Farley on Saturday, September 19;
appreciated testimony provided tonight; addressed comments on a Planning Commission
appointment that was removed from the agenda;
Christy Cammarata shared that Blackberry Festival will be on Saturday, September 5 from 11:00
AM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, September 6 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Monday, September 7
from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the Boardwalk; and the Square Roots Market on Sunday, September
6 in Quincy Square; and Hobby Hunt on October 10 also in Quincy Square.
Michael Goodnow provided highlights of the Charleston Business District Newsletter, which
included a new “Shipshape Bottle” Shop, that volunteers are welcomed to support the planter
program; registration is open for “Cars on Callow” on September 26; and the next Charleston
Business District Meeting on Friday, September 18 at 6:00 PM at Callow Fibers.
Anna Mockler announced that the Star of Hope Project will be featured at a Community Meeting
on Thursday, September 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Vincent de Paul; and the next District 6
Townhall Meeting on Monday, September 14 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM in the Subway Community
Room, located at 3850 Kitsap Way; shared a video of conditions faced by pedestrians on 13th
Street; encouraged the community to attend the 1st Friday Art Walk and Blackberry Festival.
Rick Tift announced that leadership has been assigned for the upcoming Dry Dock Project at
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Page 3 of 3
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and looked forward to cooperation with the Navy.
President Rebelowski shared upcoming meetings on the Council’s schedule; responded to
comments made regarding rentals and that there is a process available to tenants when faced with
unsafe housing; and to comments regarding a “pause” on public comment, which was actually a
response to hate speech; encouraged the community to visit the City of Bremerton’s Website to
sign-up for Notify Me and/or Constant Contact for updates on Council Meeting and City Issues.
8 – ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING
With no further business, President Rebelowski adjourned the Council Meeting at 7:28 PM.
Prepared and Submitted by:
______________________________
CHRISTINE GRENIER
Legislative Assistant
APPROVED by the City Council on the 16th day of September, 2026.
________________________________________
JANE REBELOWSKI, City Council President
Attest:
________________________________________
ANGELA HOOVER, City Clerk
JR:AH:CG
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Study Session Date: N/A
Minutes of Study Session – September 9,
2026
COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: City Council
Presenter: Council President
Phone: (360) 473-5280
SUMMARY: The Minutes for the Study Session held on September 9, 2026 are attached.
ATTACHMENTS: Council Meeting Minutes
FISCAL IMPACTS (Include Budgeted Amount):
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☒ Consent Agenda ☐ General Business ☐ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Mo ve to approve the September 9, 2026 Study Session Minutes as presented.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
3C
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
A Study Session of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order on Wednesday,
September 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Conference Room 603 located in the Norm Dicks
Government Center at 345 6th Street, with Council President Jane Rebelowski presiding. Other Council
Members present were Jennifer Chamberlin, Denise Frey, Christy Cammarata, Michael Goodnow, Anna
Mockler, and Rick Tift. Legislative Assistant Christine Grenier provided staff support.
A. AGENDA BILL BRIEFINGS
1. Authorize Creation of Probation and Treatment Court Administrator and Reallocation of Funding
was presented by Municipal Court Judge Tom Weaver and Court Administrator MiHa Kapaki –
Item to be placed on the September 16 Council Meeting Consent Agenda.
President Rebelowski announced that the order of items would be changed, so that General Council
Business would be heard before Item A2.
President Rebelowski left the meeting at 6:06 PM. Vice President Frey called a break from 6:06 to 6:17
PM, then chaired the remainder of the meeting.
2. Resolution giving 8th Street between Warren Avenue and Pacific Avenue an honorable
designation of Bishop L. Robertson Way was presented by Council President Jane Rebelowski.
Item to be placed on the September 16 Council Meeting General Business.
B. GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Briefing (Last Meeting 9/9/26) – Chair Jane Rebelowski
reported that all vacant positions on the committee are now filled; grant applications are currently
being reviewed and interviews with the applicants are scheduled for September 21 and 22.
2. Regional and Other Committee/Board Briefings
Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners Briefing (Last Meeting 9/1/26) – Jane
Rebelowski reported there were no significant issues discussed.
Kitsap 911 Board of Directors Briefing (Last Meeting 9/1/26) – Jane Rebelowski
reported that a transition is underway, with a new Executive Director joining Kitsap 911.
Board members, including she and Jennifer Chamberlin were invited to meet with the
new director.
3. Other General Council Business was discussed – President Rebelowski responded to
questions from Anna Mockler and Rick Tift regarding the new Legislative Office Manager.
C. INFORMATION ONLY PRESENTATION
1. Proposed Public Hearing on Zoning Code Amendments to Bremerton Municipal Code
Section 20.46.090 and Temporary Encampment Permit was presented by Planning Manager
Garrett Jackson. Item to be placed on the September 16 Council Meeting Public Hearing.
D. ADJOURNMENT OF STUDY SESSION
With no further business, the Study Session was adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Prepared & submitted by:
_____________________________
CHRISTINE GRENIER
Legislative Assistant
City Council Study Session Minutes
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Page 2 of 2
APPROVED by the City Council on the 16th day of September 2026.
JANE REBELOWSKI, Council President
ATTEST:
______________________________
ANGELA HOOVER, City Clerk
JR:AH:CG
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Study Session Date: September 9, 2026
Authorize Creation of Probation and
Treatment Court Administrator and
Reallocation of Funding
COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: Municipal Court
Presenter: Judge Tom Weaver
Phone: (360) 473-5254
SUMMARY: Bremerton Municipal Court is actively revitalizing and expanding its Community
Treatment Court program. The court will receive $81,700 in state funding through the Administrative
Office of the Courts (AOC) to support the program this fiscal year. Of this funding, $66,454 may be
applied toward a new full-time equivalent (FTE) position. Due to the Court’s significant probation
caseload and the additional responsibilities associated with expanding Treatment Court, we are
requesting approval to establish a Grade 18 Probation and Treatment Court Administrator position.
This position would provide administrative leadership and oversight for both Treatment Court and
Probation operations.
ATTACHMENTS: Job description, Salary Schedule, HR comparables, Power Point, Letter of Support
FISCAL IMPACTS (Include Budgeted Amount): Requesting Grade 18 position, which maxes at
$116,928.
After factoring in state funding of $66,454, fiscal impact would be $50,474 this fiscal year with
potential for increased state funding in the future.
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☒ Consent Agenda ☐ General Business ☐ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move to create the position of Probation and Treatment Court Administrator at Grade 18; and
authorize reallocation of funding.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
3D
City of Bremerton Classification Specification August 2026
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Page 1 of 4
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Probation and Treatment Court Administrator is responsible for the overall administration and day-to-day operations
of the Probation Department and Treatment Court Program. This position reports directly to the Municipal Court Judge
and supervises assigned probation and treatment court personnel. The Administrator develops and implements policies,
procedures, and operational standards; administers an annual operating budget currently totaling approximately $544,810;
oversees grants and contracts within delegated authority; evaluates program performance; and ensures services are
delivered effectively and in compliance with applicable laws, court rules, evidence-based practices, City policies, and
contractual requirements.
The Administrator currently supervises one probation employee, with future planning to increase staff, and is responsible
for assessing staffing needs and supporting planned departmental growth. The Administrator advises the Municipal Court
Judge on operational and strategic matters, provides guidance on complex cases, and may carry a limited caseload or
perform advanced probation and treatment court duties as needed.
REPRESENTATIVE ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: This list is intended to illustrate the
various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the
position.)
Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the day-to-day operations of the Probation Department and Treatment
Court Program to achieve established goals within authorized staffing and budget resources.
Supervise assigned Probation and Treatment Court staff, including assigning and reviewing work,
scheduling, training, coaching, and supporting professional development.
Establish work rules and performance standards; conduct performance evaluations; address performance
concerns; and recommend corrective or disciplinary action consistent with City policies and applicable
labor agreements.
Assess staffing needs and recommend organizational and staffing changes. Participate in recruitment,
selection, onboarding, and workforce planning.
Develop, implement, and update departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards to ensure
compliance with applicable laws, court rules, evidence-based practices, City policies, and contractual
requirements.
Advise and confer with the Municipal Court Judge regarding program priorities, policies, budget
allocations, staffing levels, operational needs, program performance, and strategic initiatives.
Develop and administer the annual operating budget, currently totaling approximately $130,000. Monitor
expenditures, authorize purchases within delegated authority, ensure fiscal accountability, and recommend
budget adjustments as needed.
Develop funding proposals; administer grant-funded activities; monitor grant compliance, expenditures,
and deliverables; prepare required reports; and ensure adherence to funding requirements.
Develop, negotiate, administer, and monitor contracts and service agreements within delegated authority
and in accordance with City purchasing, contracting, and legal-review requirements.
City of Bremerton Classification Specification August 2026
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Page 2 of 4
Ensure complete, accurate, confidential, and timely case records are maintained for the Probation
Department and Treatment Court Program. Maintain required records for any personally assigned limited
caseload.
Oversee Probation and Treatment Court service delivery, provide guidance on complex cases, and
perform advanced probation or treatment court duties when necessary to maintain operations.
Evaluate program effectiveness through performance measures, statistical analysis, participant outcomes,
compliance data, and required reporting; recommend and implement operational improvements based on
results.
Coordinate with treatment providers, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, community
agencies, and other partners to support effective service delivery and participant outcomes.
Attend and testify at court proceedings related to Treatment Court participation, compliance, violations,
progress, and case recommendations.
Other Duties
Regular attendance is an essential requirement.
Perform related duties and special projects as assigned and/or required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Washington State court rules, policies, procedures, and civil and criminal law procedures applicable to
municipal probation and treatment court operations.
Treatment court principles, evidence-based supervision and behavioral-change practices, participant
monitoring, and community-based treatment resources.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, performance management, training, coaching,
organizational development, and labor-management relations.
Public-sector budgeting, purchasing, grant administration, contract administration, fiscal controls, and
records management.
Program planning, performance measurement, statistical analysis, outcome reporting, continuous
improvement, confidentiality, and information security.
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, the Washington State Judicial Information System (JIS), Judicial
Access Browser System (JABS), Tyler Supervision, O-Court, and other court or case-management
systems.
Ability to:
Lead, supervise, evaluate, train, and develop employees while applying City policies and applicable labor
agreements consistently.
Plan and manage department operations, establish priorities, allocate resources, and maintain service
continuity with limited staffing.
Develop and administer budgets, grants, contracts, purchasing activities, policies, procedures, and
operational controls.
Analyze program, financial, compliance, and outcome data; identify trends; and present practical
recommendations to the Municipal Court Judge and other stakeholders.
Interpret and apply laws, court rules, confidentiality requirements, City policies, labor agreements,
contracts, and grant requirements.
City of Bremerton Classification Specification August 2026
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Page 3 of 4
Communicate clearly, professionally, and with appropriate discretion, both verbally and in writing, with
court participants, employees, City staff, legal professionals, treatment providers, partner agencies, and
members of the public.
Prepare clear, accurate, and detailed reports, case notes, policies, budget documents, grant reports,
contract materials, and other court-related documentation.
Exercise sound judgment, resolve complex operational and personnel issues, manage competing
priorities, and respond effectively to sensitive or crisis situations.
Learn and effectively use new software, case-management systems, and other technology required for the
position.
QUALIFYING EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE (Minimum Requirements)
An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and
abilities may be considered.
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work, Behavioral Health or Human Services,
Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in probation, treatment court, court administration,
criminal justice, behavioral health, social work, or a related program.
At least two (2) years of supervisory, lead, or program-administration experience that includes
responsibility for staff, operational planning, or program performance.
Experience administering a budget and developing or implementing operational policies and procedures.
Preferred Requirements:
Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Social Work, Behavioral Health, or a closely
related field.
Experience in a municipal court, probation department, treatment court, or comparable public-sector
program.
Experience administering grants, contracts, public purchasing, or externally funded programs.
Experience implementing evidence-based practices and using program data to evaluate outcomes and
improve services.
Experience using JIS, JABS, Tyler Supervision, O-Court, or comparable court and case-management
systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The position requires the ability to sit for extended periods; routinely stand and walk; frequently use hands and fingers to
handle documents, equipment, tools, and controls; and reach with the hands and arms.
The position also requires the ability to communicate effectively through speaking and hearing; occasionally lift or move
objects weighing up to 20 pounds; and maintain close visual acuity and the ability to adjust focus for computer work,
reading, reviewing documents, and other detailed tasks.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The position requires travel throughout Bremerton and the greater Kitsap County area and may involve extended or
irregular hours to meet operational needs and accommodate participant appointments. Duties may include meeting with
participants in correctional facilities, offices, and other community-based locations.
City of Bremerton Classification Specification August 2026
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Page 4 of 4
The position may occasionally involve exposure to bodily fluids or other potential biohazards when providing operational
coverage or working in areas where urine or saliva samples are collected or handled. The position may also involve
interactions with individuals experiencing emotional distress, behavioral health concerns, substance use issues, or other
crisis situations. Employees must exercise sound judgment, maintain professional boundaries, follow established safety
and infection-control procedures, and use appropriate de-escalation techniques when necessary.
LEGAL and REGULATORY EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for
overtime.
This position is represented by Teamsters Local 589 in accordance with the applicable labor agreement.
This position is excluded from the City’s Civil Service system.
This job description does not constitute an employment contract and may be modified as organizational needs change.
TL589 G18-G19
Hourly minimum $53.00 $46.24 Recommended hourly midpoint $60.50 Current direct reports 1
Hourly maximum $68.00 $57.34 Recommended annual midpoint $125,840 Planned additional position 1
Annual minimum $110,240 $96,549 Current hourly midpoint $52 Approximate operating
budget $130,000
Annual maximum $141,440 $119,726 Midpoint increase 16.5%Reports to
1
2
3
4
5
6
Core peer group
Primary measure
Sensitivity
Longview
Large-scope roles
Implementation
Peer Hourly Min Hourly Max
Lynnwood ACA $59.95 $77.18
Edmonds ACA $54.89 $73.56
Kitsap TC Manager $50.97 $65.20
Kittitas Chief PO $51.15 $62.32
Snohomish Programs Mgr $48.16 $61.46
Market Recommended $53.00 $68.00
Teamsters 589
Recommended G18 - G19 $46.24 $57.34
Place the classification in the existing bargaining-unit grade closest to the recommended range while checking internal
equity.
CORE PEER HOURLY RANGES
RECOMMENDED RANGE
METHOD AND GUARDRAILS
Two comparable-city assistant court administrators plus Kitsap Treatment Court Manager, Kittitas Chief Probation Officer
and Snohomish Probation & Community Programs Manager.
Equal-weighted core peer mean of $53.02–$67.95 per hour, rounded to $53.00–$68.00.
Core median is $51.15–$65.20; direct comparable-city blend is $51.59–$67.01.
Excluded because municipal-court services are contracted to Cowlitz County District Court.
Approximately $130,000 operating-budget responsibility
Policy, grant and contract administration
Program performance measurement and operational improvement
Direct accountability to the Municipal Court Judge
Limited rather than primary participant caseload
CONCLUSION
Recommended salary range: Based on market salary data, $53.00–$68.00 per hour ($110,240–$141,440 annually), with a target midpoint of $60.50 per hour ($125,840 annually). This is the rounded mean of the five-position core management peer
group. The updated job description is materially above a probation supervisor or senior officer because it carries formal supervision, fiscal, policy, grant, contract and program-performance accountability. The small current staff and approximately
$130,000 budget keep it below full court administrators, large-county directors and large-unit managers. Taking into account the scale of Teamsters L589 positions and internal equity, the closest range to this recommendation is between Grade 18
and Grade 19.
WHY THE RANGE CHANGED
Formal staff supervision, evaluations and disciplinary recommendations
King County director/manager and Tacoma unit-manager ranges are secondary references, not primary pricing inputs.
Probation and Treatment Court Administrator — 2026 Salary Analysis
City of Bremerton | Updated for formal Administrator-level responsibilities | Analysis date: July 29, 2026
MARKET POSITION CURRENT SCOPE
Municipal Court Judge
$0.00
$10.00
$20.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50.00
$60.00
$70.00
$80.00
$90.00
Lynnwood ACA Edmonds ACA Kitsap TC Manager Kittitas Chief PO Snohomish Programs Mgr Market Recommended
Core Peer Hourly Ranges
Hourly Min Hourly Max
Employer Position Hourly Min Hourly Max Why Included
City of Lynnwood Assistant Court Administrator $59.95 $77.18
Comparable city; formal
supervision, policies and
fiscal/court operations.
Broader scope provides an
City of Edmonds Assistant Court Administrator $54.89 $73.56
Comparable city; strong
match for supervision, fiscal
oversight, policy and
performance accountability.
Kitsap County District Court Treatment Court Manager $50.97 $65.20
Closest treatment-court
management benchmark.
Kittitas County District Court Chief Probation Officer $51.15 $62.32
Closest probation leadership
benchmark.
Snohomish County District Court Probation and Community Programs Manager $48.16 $61.46
Strong dual-program
management benchmark,
adjusted by peer mix for
larger county scale.
Core peer mean $53.02 $67.95 Primary market measure
Core peer median $51.15 $65.20
Sensitivity / reasonableness
check
Market Cut Hourly Min Hourly Max Midpoint Annual Midpoint Interpretation
Comparable-city direct blend $51.59 $67.01 $59.30 $123,341
Lynnwood and Edmonds administrator plus lower-anchor
probation roles; Longview excluded.
Core management peer mean $53.02 $67.95 $60.48 $125,808 Best overall measure for the updated Administrator scope.
Core management peer median $51.15 $65.20 $58.18 $121,004 Conservative sensitivity check.
All supplied external positions $53.36 $68.33 $60.84 $126,556
Broad reference only; includes director, large-county and low-
outlier roles.
Range Hourly Min Hourly Max Hourly Midpoint Annual Min Annual Max Annual Midpoint
Midpoint Change vs
Current
Current Bremerton Grade 18 $47.67 $56.22 $51.94 $99,159 $116,928 $108,044 0.0%
Prior recommendation (earlier job scope) $49.00 $62.00 $55.50 $101,920 $128,960 $115,440 6.8%
Updated recommendation $53.00 $68.00 $60.50 $110,240 $141,440 $125,840 16.5%
Decision rationale: The updated position is a true program administrator, not a senior practitioner. It owns formal supervision, a roughly $130,000 budget, policies, grants, contracts, performance measurement and strategic advice to the Municipal Court
Judge. The recommended range is therefore rounded from the core management peer mean. The small current staff (one employee) and modest budget support excluding King County director and Tacoma unit-manager ranges from the primary
calculation.
Market Synthesis and Range Determination
The recommended range is based on an equal-weighted core peer group. This avoids overstating precision and excludes director-level and unusually low/outlier comparisons.
CORE MANAGEMENT PEER GROUP
MARKET CUTS
RANGE DECISION
City Position Year Match Tier Hourly Min Hourly Max Annual Min Annual Max Core Peer? City Blend?
Lynnwood Assistant Court Administrator 2026 Primary / upper anchor $59.95 $77.18 $124,696 $160,534 Yes Yes
Lynnwood Probation Supervisor 2026 Lower anchor $45.04 $57.99 $93,683 $120,619 No Yes
Lynnwood Probation Officer 2026 Reference only $43.23 $54.67 $89,918 $113,714 No No
Edmonds Assistant Court Administrator 2026 Primary / upper anchor $54.89 $73.56 $114,171 $153,005 Yes Yes
Edmonds Senior Probation Officer 2026 Lower anchor $46.47 $59.31 $96,658 $123,365 No Yes
Edmonds Probation Officer 2026 Reference only $44.26 $56.48 $92,061 $117,478 No No
Longview No direct City position 2026 Not usable No No
Comparable-City Analysis — 2026
Primary municipal comparators identified by the City: Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Longview. Hourly rates are from official 2026 schedules.
Scope Notes Official Source
Formal supervision, evaluations, policy/procedure, accounting and court
operations; broader court-wide scope and approximately nine court
https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/lynnwoodwa/6565eb07-c5cb-
11f0-a7da-005056a89546-f7ca5fad-a833-40cd-a821-495da88ccc9b-
Direct probation supervision, but narrower than the updated
Administrator’s budget, contracts, grants, policy and outcome-
https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/lynnwoodwa/6565eb07-c5cb-
11f0-a7da-005056a89546-f7ca5fad-a833-40cd-a821-495da88ccc9b-
Practitioner-level role; materially below the updated Administrator
scope.
https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/lynnwoodwa/6565eb07-c5cb-
11f0-a7da-005056a89546-f7ca5fad-a833-40cd-a821-495da88ccc9b-
Supervises and evaluates staff; oversees policies, fiscal operations,
records, purchasing and court performance. Broader court-wide scope
and acts for Court Administrator.
https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Governm
ent/Departments/Human%20Resources/Salaries%20%26%20Wages/2
Senior practitioner/lead benchmark; lacks the full Administrator-level
organizational accountability.
https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Governm
ent/Departments/Human%20Resources/Salaries%20%26%20Wages/2
Practitioner benchmark; materially narrower.
https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Governm
ent/Departments/Human%20Resources/Salaries%20%26%20Wages/2
Longview contracts municipal-court services to Cowlitz County District
Court; excluded from salary calculations.https://www.mylongview.com/346/Legal-Department
Employer Position Annual Min Annual Max Hourly Min Hourly Max Market Use
BREMERTON Probation and Treatment Court Director - Union Grade
18 $99,159 $116,928 $47.67 $56.22 Current
KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Probation Director $149,904 $188,462 $72.07 $90.61 Exclude
KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Probation Manager $127,788 $160,430 $61.44 $77.13 Secondary
KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Therapeutic Court Manager $127,788 $160,430 $61.44 $77.13 Secondary
KITSAP COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Treatment Court Manager $106,014 $135,626 $50.97 $65.20 Core
KITSAP COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Probation Supervisor $63,266 $83,061 $30.42 $39.93 Lower bound
KITTITAS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Chief Probation Officer $106,383 $129,632 $51.15 $62.32 Core
SNOHOMOISH COUNTY DISTRICT
COURT Probation and Community Programs Manager $100,171 $127,847 $48.16 $61.46 Core
SNOHOMOISH COUNTY DISTRICT
COURT Therapeutic Court Program Supervisor $95,401 $121,759 $45.87 $58.54 Secondary
TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT Court Support Services Unit Manager (Probation
Director)$122,096 $171,954 $58.70 $82.67 Secondary
Provided Salary Survey Data
Annual ranges are reproduced from the attached salary workbook. Hourly rates are formula-derived using 2,080 hours.
Scope / Match Rationale Source
Current Bremerton range Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Director-level; significantly larger county scope Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Manager-level; larger county scale Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Manager-level; larger county scale Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Strong program-management match Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Narrower supervision and low outlier Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Strong probation leadership match Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Strong dual-program management match; larger county Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Relevant program oversight but below administrator scope Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Broader/larger municipal-court unit Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx
Factor Earlier Scope Updated Administrator Scope Pay Effect Market Interpretation Evidence
Overall accountability Hybrid practitioner with general oversight
Overall administration and day-to-day operations of Probation and
Treatment Court Higher Moves benchmark from senior officer/supervisor toward
manager/administrator Revised General Function
Reporting relationship Not clearly defined Reports directly to Municipal Court Judge Higher Greater organizational visibility and independent accountability Revised General Function
Formal supervision General oversight; no explicit evaluation/discipline
Direct supervision, work assignment, evaluation, coaching and disciplinary
recommendations Higher Requires supervisor/manager market references Essential Duties
Staffing scope Not defined
One current probation employee; planned addition of Case Manager or
Probation Clerk Moderating Small present headcount limits use of large-court manager
ranges Essential Duties
Budget No explicit budget authority Administers approximately $130,000 annual operating budget Higher / moderated Real fiscal accountability, but modest budget size General Function and Essential Duties
Policy and compliance Applies existing requirements Develops and updates policies, procedures and operational standards Higher Administrator-level organizational authority Essential Duties
Grants and contracts Referral and vendor coordination
Funding proposals, grant compliance, contract development and
administration within delegated authority Higher Adds external funding and procurement accountability Essential Duties
Program evaluation Participant-level monitoring
Performance measures, statistics, outcomes and operational
improvements Higher Manager/program administrator benchmark Essential Duties
Casework Substantial hands-on monitoring and participant
services Limited caseload and advanced coverage as needed Higher Primary value is management, not caseload production General Function
Minimum qualifications Two years general related experience
Four years progressive experience plus two years
supervisory/lead/program administration and budget/policy experience Higher Supports management-level market placement Minimum Requirements
Updated Job Scope and Market Position
Comparison of the revised Administrator description to the earlier scope used in the prior analysis.
OVERALL CLASSIFICATION CONCLUSION
The revised classification most closely aligns with a Probation and Treatment Court Administrator / Program Manager. It should be positioned above probation supervisors and senior officers, near treatment-court managers and chief probation
officers, and below full court administrators, large-county directors and large-unit managers.
Source Supports URL / File Notes
Revised Bremerton job description Target duties, qualifications and organizational scope Attached: Probation_and_Treatment_Court_Administrator_Revised(1).docx
Reports to Municipal Court Judge; supervises one current employee;
planned growth; approximately $130,000 budget.
Provided salary workbook Bremerton current range and county/municipal market data Attached: Copy of Probation Trmt Crt Director Salaries.xlsx Annual rates converted to hourly using 2,080 hours.
City of Lynnwood 2026 salary schedule Assistant Court Administrator, Probation Supervisor and Probation
Officer rates
https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/lynnwoodwa/6565eb07-c5cb-11f0-a7da-
005056a89546-f7ca5fad-a833-40cd-a821-495da88ccc9b-1779398195.pdf Official 2026 hourly schedule embedded in City Council materials.
City of Lynnwood Assistant Court Administrator
flyer Scope and responsibilities https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/municipal-court/assistant-
court-administrator-recruitment-flyer.pdf
Supervision, evaluation, accounting, collections, jury management,
policies and procedures; broader court-wide role.
City of Edmonds job descriptions Classification titles and grades
https://www.edmondswa.gov/government/departments/human_resources/job_descriptio
ns
Assistant Court Administrator NR-37; Probation Officer NE-33; Senior
Probation Officer NE-34.
Sources, Assumptions and Method Notes
City of Edmonds Assistant Court Administrator
description Scope and responsibilities
https://www.edmondswa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Government/Dep
artments/Human%20Resources/Job%20Descriptions/Non%20Represented/Assistant%
20Court%20Administrator%20rev-003.pdf
Supervision, fiscal operations, policies, records, purchasing and
performance; broader court-wide role.
City of Edmonds 2026 AFSCME schedule Probation Officer and Senior Probation Officer rates
https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Government/Department
s/Human%20Resources/Salaries%20%26%20Wages/2026%20Wages/2026_AFSCME
_Wages_2.7_COLA_FINAL.pdf
Official 2026 schedule.
City of Edmonds 2026 non-represented schedule Assistant Court Administrator rate
https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_16494932/File/Government/Department
s/Human%20Resources/Salaries%20%26%20Wages/2026%20Wages/2026_NonRepr
esented_Wages_2.7_COLA_FINAL.pdf
Official 2026 schedule.
City of Longview Legal Department Court-service structure https://www.mylongview.com/346/Legal-Department
Municipal-court services are provided through contract with Cowlitz
County District Court; no direct City pay comparator.
Annualization Hourly × 2,080 hours.
Market year 2026 nominal pay ranges; no geographic or benefit-value adjustment.
Core peer method Equal-weighted mean of five primary management peers; mean and
median shown for sensitivity.
Exclusions
Longview has no direct City classification. King County Probation
Director, Tacoma large-unit manager and Kitsap low probation-
supervisor outlier are not used in the primary calculation.
METHOD NOTES
Internal equity
Final adopted range should align with the closest City bargaining-unit
grade and preserve appropriate differentials from supervised
classifications.
Classification caution
Non-exempt and Teamsters status were retained in the job
description; validate those designations separately against actual
duties and the labor agreement.
Bremerton Municipal
Court
Community
Treatment
Court
FTE Proposal:
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT
ADMINISTRATOR
Judge
Weaver
takes bench
on January
1, 2026.
The BMC
Therapeutic
Court is
effectively
defunct.
•No participants (final
participant graduated in
February, 2026).
•No funding.
•There are many in the
legal community who
believe it is best to
terminate the program.
•No Treatment Coordinator
or infrastructure.
THE NEED
Americans Dead. . .
From fentanyl overdose 1999-2025:
520,395
American combat deaths in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and War on Terror (through January, 2025) combined:
507,473
State v.
Blake
February
25, 2021
•“Legislative acquiescence has
locked our old interpretation
of RCW 69.50.4013 into that
drug possession statute. But
that interpretation makes that
statute criminalize innocent
and passive possession, even by
a defendant who does not know,
and has no reason to know, that
drugs lay hidden within
something that they possess.
The legislature's police power
goes far, but not that far. RCW
69.50.4013(1)—the portion of
the simple drug possession
statute creating this crime—
violates the due process
clauses of the state and
federal constitutions and is
void.”
Legislative
Response to
Blake
Senate Bill
5476, May 13,
2021.
•Reenacted drug possession laws and made it illegal to knowingly possess a
controlled substance.
•Reduced drug possession from a Class C felony to a misdemeanor punishable
by up to 180 days in jail.
•Explicitly states, “The prosecutor is encouraged to divert cases under this
section for assessment, treatment, or other services.”
•Authorized funding for expanded recovery support services program. RCW
71.24.135. Among the needs to be addressed by the program include:
•(a) Recovery housing;
•(b) Employment pathways, support, training, and job placement,
including evidence-based supported employment program services;
•(c) Education pathways, including recovery high schools and collegiate
recovery programs;
•(d) Recovery coaching and substance use disorder peer support;
•(e) Social connectedness initiatives, including the recovery café model;
•(f) Family support services, including family reconciliation services;
•(g) Technology-based recovery support services;
•(h) Transportation assistance; and
•(i) Legal support services.
Impact on
CLJ was
immediate
and
profound
•YEAR State Kitsap Superior BMC
•2016 5,620 229 0
•2017 5,875 275 0
•2018 6,078 330 0
•2019 5,727 346 0
•2020 4,913 254 0
•2021 1,665 74 0
Supreme Court decides State v. Blake on February 25, 2021.
Legislature reinstates statute May 13, 2021, making drug possession
a misdemeanor.
•2022 45 0 0
•2023 63 0 210
(11% of all filings)
•2024 100 3 335
(17.2% of all
filings)
•2025 98 3 329
(17.2% of
all filings)
•2026 TBD TBD 279
(19.3 % through
August 28)
Typical
Sentences
for Drug
Possessio
n Charges
•An average sentence of 33 days in
jail, ranging from 7 days to 180
days, with a median sentence of
17 days (based upon a random
sampling of jail sentences since
January 1, 2026)
•Active probation with substance
abuse evaluation and treatment.
•With a jail rate of $214 per
person per day, this comes to a
$7,062 per person, with a median
cost of $3,638 per person.
•Projected cost to City to
incarcerate 14 hypothetical
defendants for 17 days: $50,932
Probation
•The transfer of drug possession
charges from the Superior Court
to BMC has resulted in a sharp
increase in the need for
Probation services and direct
intervention in chemical
dependency, mental health, and
domestic violence services
•Recommended maximum probation
case load per officer: 70
•Current Probation Case Load:
•126 active probationers
•Another 70 probationers on
warrant status
BMC creates Therapeutic Court.
Judge Flood is suspended by CJC in January, 2025. Interim Judge James Armstrong assumes primary responsibilities.
Therapeutic Court Coordinator left unstaffed and unfunded with no new participants for remainder of year.
July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026 $5,000 (all designated for training)
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) authorizes renewable grant for Therapeutic Court. City Council authorizes a Level
15 position for Therapeutic Court Coordinator. AOC grant applications due in early May each year.
July 1, 2022-June 30,
2023 $215,896
July 1, 2023-June 30,
2024 $212,000
July 1, 2024-June 30,
2025 $144,300
Judge Tracy Flood takes bench on January 1, 2022.
April 23, 2026
•Spearheaded by Probation Officer Alexis
Green (nee Reeves), BMC hosts a meeting
of community partners to discuss future
of Therapeutic Court.
•Over 20 people attend representing 10
community partners
•Therapeutic Court receives overwhelming
support from community partners
Community Partners
SPAR
Program
West Sound
Treatment
(WST)
Agape
Treatment
WST Liason
Program
Agape REAL
Program
Forensic
Navigator
Program
(DSHS)
Trueblood
(Competency
) Program
Kitsap
Mental
Health
Services
(KMHS)
YWCA
Commonstree
t
Counseling
Implementations to Community Treatment Court
Following April 23 Meeting
•West Sound Treatment (WST), led by Dr. Ken Wilson,
dedicated a full-time treatment counselor to BMC
for the first time
•Courthouse on-site treatment evaluations, within
easy walking distance from Salvation Army
•Improved access to housing
•Improved access to public transportation and
private rides, permitting participants to actively
engage in treatment
•Furloughs with WST bussing to allow potential
participants to attend CTC from the jail
Spring, 2026
Community Treatment Court
AOC required BMC to apply for a grant as a first
time applicant.
Rebranded as Community
Treatment Court (CTC)
Community –Designed to assist
participants in addressing housing,
transportation, and social needs
Treatment –Designed to address chemical
dependency and mental health treatment
needs
In June of 2026, AOC authorizes grant of
$81,700, of which $66,454 is allocated for a 50%
treatment coordinator.
Community Treatment Court
February 1, 2026
•No participants
•No funding
•There are many in the legal community who believe it is best to terminate the program
•No Treatment Coordinator
September 1, 2026
8 Participants
State funds to provide for
treatment coordinator,
training, and misc. costs
Strong support from
community partners, City
Attorneys Office, defense
attorneys, and Judge
Continuing need. Program
cannot be sustained without
Coordinator
PROBATION AND TREATMENT COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Plan, organize,
direct, and
evaluate day-to-
day operations
of Probation and
Community
Treatment Court
1
Supervise
assigned
Probation and
Treatment Court
staff
2
Oversee
Probation and
Treatment Court
service delivery
3
Oversee
grant/state
funding
application to
AOC and manage
department
budgeting
4
Fiscal
Impact
Defund current Treatment Coordinator
position (Level 15)
Create new position: Probation and
Treatment Court Administrator (Level
18)
Retain current Probation Officer
position (Level 15)
After factoring in state funding of
$66,454, fiscal impact would be
$50,474
Projected savings to City to divert
rather than incarcerate 14
hypothetical defendants for 17 days:
$50,932
Therapeutic Court Position Change
From support classification to proposed court administrator classification —cost and funding impact shown from the workbook.
PROPOSED 09/09/2026
Original
10/04/2022
Therapeutic Court
Coordinator
Grade 10
Current
01/01/2026
Service Support
Specialist
Grade 15
Proposed
09/09/2026
Probation & Treatment
Court Administrator
Grade 18
Classification change
The proposed action moves the position
from a Grade 15 Service Support
Specialist to a Grade 18 Probation &
Treatment Court Administrator.
Grade 15
Support Svc
Grade 18
Administrator
Cost and funding view
Current values use 01/01/2026. Proposed compensation uses the low end of the salary range.
Total compensation Current $115,253
Proposed $128,907
Grant support Original $215,900
Proposed $66,454
General Fund need Current $0
Proposed $62,453
Net General Fund need
$0 $62.5k
Increased estimated General Fund support
needed, driven by the decreased grant
support reflected in the proposed column.
Key figures Salary
$88,656 $99,159–$116,928
Grade
15 18
Total comp.
$115,253 $128,907
Grant support
$215,900 $66,454
Source: Therapeutic Court Analysis.xlsx, Sheet1. General Fund need shown as absolute value of workbook formula.
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Study Session Date: September 9, 2026
Public Hearing on Zoning Code
Amendments to Bremerton Municipal
Code Section 20.46.090 and Temporary
Encampment Permit
COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: DCD
Presenter: Garrett Jackson
Phone: (360) 473-5289
SUMMARY:
The Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) has made an application (file #BP26 00105) to amend
Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) 20.46.090 which governs Temporary Encampment Permits. The
applicant requests an amendment to expand eligibility for a 3-year Temporary Encampment Permit to
the Multi-Use Zone of the Harrison Heights Subarea Plan, which includes the property located at
1231 Sheridan Road. The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on August 17, 2026 and
concluded that the proposed zoning code amendment does not meet Text Amendment criteria of
approval established per BMC 20.18.020(d), and therefore recommended the City Council deny the
application. Materials considered by the Planning Commission are included in the August 17, 2026
Planning Commission Packet, and include a Staff Report, submitted application materials, received
public comments, and other documents.
Potential motions are as follows:
Planning Commission Recommended Motion: Move to accept the Findings and Conclusions of the
Planning Commission, which conclude that Application BP26 00105 requesting changes to
Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) section BMC 20.46.090 Temporary Encampment Permits does not
meet the code amendment criteria established by BMC 20.18.020(d), and is therefore denied.
Alternative Motion: Move to reject the Findings and Conclusions of the Planning Commission for
Application BP26 00105 requesting changes to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) section BMC
20.46.090 Temporary Encampment Permits, and direct staff to perform SEPA review and prepare an
ordinance for future public hearing which adds the Multi-Use Zone of the Harrison Heights Subarea
Plan to zones eligible for a 3-year Temporary Encampment Permit per BMC 20.46.090(h)(1)(ii)(a).
ATTACHMENTS:
Planning Commission Findings & Conclusions
Presentation
FISCAL IMPACTS (Include Budgeted Amount): None
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☐ Consent Agenda ☐ General Business ☒ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move to accept the Findings and Conclusions of the Planning Commission, which conclude that
Application BP26 00105 requesting changes to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) section BMC
20.46.090 Temporary Encampment Permits does not meet the code amendment criteria established
by BMC 20.18.020(d), and is therefore denied.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
4A
Zoning Code Amendments: Public Hearing
Bremerton Housing Authority Proposal
Temporary Encampment Permit (BMC 20.46.090)
Presenter: Garrett Jackson
September 16, 2026
1
Applicant Proposal
The Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) has made an application (file
#BP26 00105) to amend Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) 20.46.090
which governs Temporary Encampment Permits. The applicant requests
an amendment to expand eligibility for a 3-year Temporary Encampment
Permit to the Multi-Use Zone of the Harrison Heights Subarea Plan, which
includes the property located at 1231 Sheridan Road.
2
SHERIDAN SITE ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS TIMELINE
January 2024 –August 2026
JAN
2024
City Council
Resolution 3375
Hybrid low-barrier walk-
up congregate and
pallet shelter, to open
fall 2024
JUL
2024
Ordinance 5494
City Council adopts
BHA proposed zoning
code amendments
allowing 3-year
Temporary
Encampment Permits
AUG
2024
DCD
Communication
to BHA
3-year Temporary
Encampment would not
be permitted at the
Sheridan Site; an
Indoor Emergency
Shelter would
DEC
2024
Interlocal
Agreement
City Council ILA with
BHA for a hybrid
congregate and pallet
shelter “in accordance
with applicable laws
and regulations”
AUG
2025
Pre-submittal
Conference
BHA conference with
City for hybrid
congregate and pallet
shelter
SEP
2025
City Council
Study Session
BHA presents at City
Council Study Session
NOV
2025
Sheridan Site
Purchased
BHA purchases 1231
Sheridan Site
JAN
2026
City Council
Study Session
BHA presents at City
Council Study Session
MAY
2026
Pre-submittal
Conference
BHA conference with
City for pallet shelter
only
MAY
2026
Application
Withdrawn
BHA withdraws
application for Zoning
Code Amendments for
May 18 Planning
Commission meeting
JUN
2026
Complete
Application
Submitted
BHA submits complete
application for Zoning
Code Amendment
JUN
2026
Planning
Commission
Workshop
JUL
2026
Planning
Commission
Workshop
AUG
2026
Planning
Commission
Public Hearing
Planning Commission
Recommendation
4
No Code Change
5
The Planning Commission held a Public
Hearing on August 17, 2026 and
concluded that the proposed zoning
code amendment does not meet Text
Amendment criteria of approval
established per BMC 20.18.020(d), and
therefore recommends the City
Council deny the application.
Criteria of Approval
6
Criteria of Approval (BMC 20.18)
Per BMC 20.18.010, text amendments may be necessary when changing circumstances or
conditions justify updates to the Zoning Code’s development regulations, provided those
changes remain consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
(1)It is consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
(2)It does not conflict with other City, state and federal codes,
regulations and ordinances.
7
Review
8
9
City of Olympia
City of Everett
City of Seattle
STEP HOUSING TEMPORARY ENCAMPMENT
•RCW 35.21.915
•Temporary
accommodations
that do not meet
building code or
local development
standards
•Do not count
toward growth
targets
•Washington State
Building Code
Council is currently
considering draft
regulations for
Temporary
Emergency Shelters
•RCW 35.21.683
•STEP means Indoor
emergency Shelter,
Transitional housing,
Emergency
housing, and/or
Permanent
supportive housing
•Structures meet
local development
standards
•Bremerton has
completed code
amendments to
support STEP
housing
Washington State
Department of Commerce Guidance
Temporary Encampments cannot be counted towards a jurisdiction’s Comprehensive Plan local housing need allocations.
Temporary Encampments are elective and not required by the State of Washington.
The Washington State Department of Commerce first published this guidance in a July 2024 STEP Model Ordinance document. This information was not available when the Planning Commission originally recommended code amendments to the City Council allowing 3-year encampments in May of 2024. Commerce guidance was reaffirmed in June 2026.
10
June 2026 Chapter 232, Laws of 2026 (HB 2266): STEP Siting and Permitting
11
Housing Goals are for Permanent
Structures, not Temporary Structures
WA Department of Commerce estimates 1.1 million new homes
will be needed in Washington State by 2044.
Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) estimates 830,000 new
homes will be needed in the Puget Sound by 2050.
Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) estimates 32,950
new homes will be needed in Kitsap by 2044.
Bremerton Comprehensive Plan estimates 9,556 new homes will
be needed in the City by 2044.
Harrison Heights Subarea Plan estimate 1,695 new homes will be
needed in the City by 2044.
NOTE:Housing goals do not apply to temporary structures -Examples H3(I),
H3(G), H2(H), etc.
Department of Commerce
Example: Permanent Structure
Example: Temporary Structure
Recent Updates to Permanent Housing Types
Recent Code Updates in Bremerton
Increases in density and maximum structure height
Accessory Dwelling Units
Pre-approved ADU Program
Middle Housing
Multifamily Citywide
Multifamily Conversion
Co-Living Housing
STEP Housing
Unit Lot Subdivision
Affordable Housing Bonus
No Minimum Parking Citywide 12
According to the Department of Commerce, “Rising rents, combined with lagging income growth and
a lack of housing supply, are the core causes of increased homelessness in the State.”
Temporary Encampment Permit (BMC 20.46.090)
Existing Code Section
183-Day Temporary Encampment Permit
•Type I Permit allowed in all zoning districts
•Outreach to police, fire, school, childcare, and health district
•Neighborhood meeting (mailed notification within 500-feet)
•Agree to inspections from Police, Fire, Building, Health District
•Plans for Security, sanitation, trash, setbacks, and screening
•Establish Code of Conduct eligibility
3-year Temporary Encampment Permit (Elective)
•Type II Conditional Use Permit
•Social services provided onsite
•Accommodations composed of durable/rigid materials
•Eligible for smaller ½ acres sites
•Allowed in select zoning districts (see May 18 PC Packet)13
Non-rigid materials
Rigid materials
Commerce Guidance
14
Existing Zones, 3-Year
Temporary Encampment:
District Center Core,
General Commercial,
Freeway Corridor, Industrial
Zone, and Puget Sound
Industrial Center
Excluding City Watershed
and Utility Lands, this
represents approximately
42% of all property area in
the City.
Comprehensive Plan
15
Is it consistent with the goals and policies of the
Comprehensive Plan?
16
Regionally Coordinated Planning:
Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A)
Department of Commerce Guidance Documents
Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)
Multicounty Planning Policies (MPPs)
Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC)
Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs)
City of Bremerton Comprehensive Plan
Goals & Policies
LU1(B). Coordinate Bremerton's growth consistent with the Kitsap
Countywide Planning Policies, the Puget Sound Regional
Council's Vision 2050, and State requirements.
Harrison Heights
Countywide Center
17
PSRC Multicounty Planning Policies
MPP-RGS-11. Encourage growth in designated countywide centers.
KRCC Countywide Planning Policies
KRCC CPP C-1. Centers are focal points of growth within Kitsap County. In decisions relating to population and employment growth and resource allocation supporting growth, Centers have a high priority.
Bremerton Comprehensive Plan
H2(H). Provide sufficient land for the city’s projected population and housing targets, especially in the City’s Centers and accessible to transit.
NOTE:Approximately 70-percent of all future housing units needed by 2044 are planned within Centers, with Harrison Heights accounting for 17% of the total housing units planned.
Harrison Heights Subarea Plan
HH(10). Support the transformation of underutilized lands, such as surplus public property, parking lots, or environmentally contaminated lands that are cleaned up, to higher-density, mixed-use development, or amenities, aligned with the vision for the area.
Accommodates Bremerton’s fair share
of the Countywide need
Bremerton Comprehensive Plan
H3(B). Encourage rental and subsidized housing near public
transportation, employment opportunities, and throughout the City in a
manner that accommodates Bremerton’s fair share of the Countywide
need.
Kitsap County Homeless Housing Plan 2025-2030
Homeless crisis response providers identified several critical gaps that
hinder progress including, “Geographic disparities, with services
concentrated in Bremerton.”
KRCC Countywide Planning Policies “2020 snapshot” shows Bremerton
provides substantially more housing for those experiencing
homelessness than other Kitsap jurisdictions.18
19
Kitsap County Homeless Housing Plan 2025-2030
Existing & Projected Services
https://www.kitsap.gov/hs/HOUSINGBLOCK/Kitsap%20Homeless%20Housing%20Plan%202025-2030%20-%20FINAL%2012.10.25.pdf
Kitsap County Regional
Approach to Homelessness
Kitsap County Point-in-Time Count 2026
46% self-reported a Bremerton location
No unincorporated option
Kitsap County Homeless Housing Plan 2025-2030
Comprehensive Plans for all Kitsap jurisdictions each contain
provisions addressing homelessness
Kitsap County HEART team (Homeless Encampment Action,
Response, and Transitions) connects individuals countywide in
unsanctioned encampments to stable housing and services
20
21
Bremerton City Limits and
Bremerton Addresses
US Census Data
•Bremerton
13.8% poverty rate
median household income $ 74,940.
•Bainbridge Island
3.5% poverty rate
median household income $172,188
•Kitsap County
7.8% poverty rate
median household income $ 104,158
•Port Orchard
9.7% poverty rate
median household income $ 89,795
•Poulsbo
9.3% poverty rate
median household income $116,250
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/
Bremerton STEP Examples Since 2020
22
Planning Commission
Recommended Motion
23
Planning Commission
Recommended Motion
Move to accept the Findings and Conclusions of the Planning
Commission, which conclude that Application BP26 00105 requesting
changes to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) section BMC 20.46.090
Temporary Encampment Permits does not meet the code
amendment criteria established by BMC 20.18.020(d), and is therefore
denied.
24
Published for
September 16
Council Meeting
Item 4A
Public Comment
From:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 02:30 PM
To:Cheryl Gillespie <clgillespie915@icloud.com>
CC:carrie holden <holdenc@bgcsps.org>;Stuart Anderson <Stuart.Anderson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Andrea
Spencer <Andrea.Spencer@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Garrett Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;
City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Katherine Woods <Katherine.Woods@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:RE:Proposed Unhoused Pallets
Dear John &Cheryl,
Thank you for your email!Since the Sheridan Rd Project is active and under review by the Bremerton
City Council for possible action,I am forwarding your email to the City of Bremerton Department of
Community Development and City Council for their consideration and to be added as a matter of
record.It is important to note that the Salvation Army is still operating an overnight homeless
Shelter,laundry services,meals,bus tickets,access to basic healthcare needs,and referral services
for their guests.Maintaining this operation will continue to be a priority for the city.Take care,I
hope you have a great rest of your day!
Sincerely,
Greg Wheeler
Mayor
City of Bremerton
(360)473-5266
-----Original Message-----
From:Cheryl Gillespie <clgillespie915@icloud.com>
Sent:Monday,September 7,2026 12:48 PM
To:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Cc:carrie holden <holdenc@bgcsps.org>
Subject:Proposed Unhoused Pallets
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
We are writing to reiterate our concerns about the unhoused proposal which is once again being
considered for the Sheridan site.We are in total agreement with the planning commission.We
believe it is in conflict with the comprehensive plan and countywide planning .We believe the final
sale of this property was completed after there was limited support the last go around!This is in
reality a drug problem which morphs into transient living.
How many of the 100 unhoused are committed to living at this site.What is the responsibility of the
tenants .Who is teaching expectations and an understanding of consequences?What are the
monitoring and support services ?There has to be another amenable site that isn’t adjacent to two
elementary schools ,Knights Baseball Field ,The Boys and Girls Club and a future alternative school .
As former Bremerton educators who know and care about youth ,we are saddened about your
choices.
Yes,we need a housing solution ,but not in this location.This is a countywide problem ,let’s address
it as such!
Sincerely
John and Cheryl Gillespie
Sent from my iPhone
Subject:Public Comment on Shelter Project Zoning —Support Real Infrastructure Over Red Tape
(Hearing on Sept 16,2026)
From:Julie Schaul <julieannschaul@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,2 Sep 2026 03:10 PM
To:city.council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Subject:Public Comment on Shelter Project Zoning —Support Real Infrastructure Over Red Tape (Hearing on
Sept 16,2026)
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Subject:Public Comment on Shelter Project Zoning —Support Real Infrastructure Over Red
Tape (Hearing on Sept 16,2026)
Dear Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for the hybrid housing-focused shelter project and
to urge this council to reject the sudden,obstructive shifts stalling its progress.
For two and a half years,the Bremerton Housing Authority and project partners have crafted a
responsible,comprehensive model that provides 24/7 security,vital services,and stable
permanent housing pathways—while crucially protecting five acres of land for future
affordable and workforce housing.
It is deeply frustrating to watch a community-centered project get bogged down by
manufactured friction,semantic battles over temporary versus permanent definitions,and
bureaucratic red tape.Meanwhile,speculative proposals that displace locals in favor of high-
income units face no such hurdles.
Safe,stable shelter options and long-term housing solutions are absolute necessities for
vulnerable community members.When local governments stall proven models under the
guise of technicalities,it harms the entire region.
Please respect the collaborative work that has gone into this site,honor the commitment to
24/7 security and support services,and vote to move this vital shelter forward.
Sincerely,
Julie A.Schaul
Santa Cruz,CA
Sheridan Road Encampment
From:stamps@dickkeiser.com
Sent:Sunday,6 Sep 2026 11:10 AM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Sheridan Road Encampment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
This is a total BAD IDEA. This encampment will increase the crime rate and break-ins.
I know this from experience,I have a business at Central Valley and Fairground Road.
The county decided a year or so ago to open up the Pavilion as an encampment.
With in days crime started to increase. In fact,my business was broken into 3 times,
causing me thousand of dollars in lost inventory and repairs. I had to spend addition
2 thousand dollars to install alarms,window bars,cameras,etc. If this “idea”is passed
I guarantee I will be armed at my residents.
Dick Keiser,3238 Halverson Ave,Bremerton,Wa 98310
--
DK Enterprises
Store address Mailing address
10 NE Silver Pine Dr PO Box 1881
Suite #110 Silverdale,Wa.98383
Bremerton,Wa.98311
360.692.3818 or 360.271.9026 Stamps@dickkeiser.com
www.DickKeiser.com
Store Hours:Mon thru Sat 0900 thru 1530
Member of:APS,ASDA,PTS,MPHS,USCS,ANA,SRS,and many more
--
Have a nice day
Protect the future of Bremerton
From:Sharla Bay <smbay31@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 06:12 PM
To:greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us
CC:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Protect the future of Bremerton
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council
I am writing as a resident of Kitsap County to express my opposition to the proposed
homeless encampment in our community.
I recognize that homelessness is a complex issue and that individuals experiencing
homelessness deserve compassion,dignity,and access to necessary services.However,I
believe that creating a large encampment is not a safe or sustainable solution for those
affected or the surrounding community.
My concerns encompass public safety,sanitation,environmental impacts,increased pressure
on emergency services,potential crime and property issues,and the effects on local residents,
families,businesses,and neighborhoods.
I also feel that the community should have the opportunity to provide input before a decision
is made that would significantly impact the area.Residents should be informed about the
proposed location,size,operating rules,security measures,sanitation plans,emergency
response protocols,costs,and the long-term strategy for transitioning individuals from the
encampment to stable housing.
I respectfully request the County Commissioners to:
1.Oppose the establishment of a permanent or large-scale homeless encampment in Kitsap
County.
2.Mandate meaningful community engagement and public input prior to approving any
encampment proposal.
3.Favor safe,structured shelter and permanent supportive housing over unmanaged outdoor
encampments.
4.Outline clear plans for sanitation,public safety,security,environmental protection,and
emergency services if temporary sheltering is considered.
5.Set measurable goals and timelines for assisting individuals in transitioning from temporary
shelter to permanent housing and supportive services.
6.Ensure that the concerns of nearby residents,property owners,businesses,and families are
taken into account in the decision-making process.
Protect the future of Bremerton
I understand that there is no straightforward solution to homelessness.According to Kitsap
County's 2026 Point-in-Time Count,there are 230 people experiencing unsheltered
homelessness,which highlights the urgency of addressing this issue thoughtfully.
However,I believe that Kitsap County can effectively address homelessness without
establishing an encampment that disproportionately impacts a specific neighborhood or
community.
I ask you to reconsider the proposed encampment and focus on solutions that offer a pathway
to stable housing while also safeguarding the safety,health,and quality of life for Kitsap
County residents.
Thank you for considering the concerns of your constituents.I would like my opposition to
the proposed homeless encampment to be entered into the public record and taken into
account before any final decision is made.
Sincerely
Everett and Sharla Rohrbaugh
Proposed Zoning Change
From:Jasara Hanson <jasararood@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,9 Sep 2026 08:38 AM
To:greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us;city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Proposed Zoning Change
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed zoning change that would allow a homeless
village to be located near our homes and close to our children’s school.
As a parent,my biggest concern is the safety of children who have no practical transportation
option to school.There are no school buses serving children in this area,which means
walking is the only option for many families—especially when both parents work.We work
hard to provide for our families and avoid becoming part of the housing crisis ourselves.Our
children should not have to walk past a homeless village on their way to school as a result of
this zoning decision.
I also have personal experience with safety concerns in downtown Bremerton,where I work.I
have been chased while walking to work and had to run to safety.On another occasion,a man
approached me with a knife.I understand that not every person experiencing homelessness is
dangerous,and I am not suggesting that they are.However,these experiences have made me
very concerned about placing a large homeless community directly along routes that children
need to walk every day.
The location matters.Providing housing and services to people experiencing homelessness is
important,but that does not mean every location is appropriate.
The City should not simply ask whether a homeless village can legally be placed at a
particular site.It should ask whether this is the appropriate site given surrounding homes,
schools,pedestrian routes,transportation,and the availability of alternative locations.
That is the question I am asking the City to answer.
Why is this particular location the best choice when other options may exist?Why place a
large homeless village immediately adjacent to established homes and near a school when the
City could consider locations with different surrounding land uses?
I ask the City to carefully examine existing tiny-home and homeless village developments in
Tacoma and Seattle.These communities have used a variety of locations,including
commercial,industrial,port-related,and other nontraditional sites.These examples
demonstrate that site selection matters and that alternatives can be considered.
Proposed Zoning Change
If the proposed village is going to provide the necessary services and staffing on-site,the City
should evaluate whether an appropriately located commercial,industrial,or other non-
residential site (near the airport possibly?)could provide those services without placing a
large shelter community directly next to families and along children's walking routes.
I also ask the City to consider the future of the surrounding neighborhood.The Harrison
Heights development represents a significant investment and an opportunity for responsible
growth.Placing a homeless village immediately nearby could make future residential
investment much less attractive.A decision like this could put the future of the Harrison
Heights development at risk.No smart developer wants to invest millions of dollars in a
residential development if the surrounding area is going to be significantly changed by a large
shelter community.
We should also consider the long-term consequences for property values,neighborhood
stability,traffic,pedestrian safety,and the ability of families to comfortably access their
homes and schools.
I am not asking the City to ignore the homelessness crisis.I am asking the City to make a
responsible decision about where these services are provided.
We can care about people experiencing homelessness while also recognizing that families,
children,schools,and established neighborhoods deserve thoughtful consideration when
choosing a site.
Please vote NO on this zoning change and reconsider a location that is better suited for this
type of development—one that can provide necessary services while maintaining appropriate
separation from homes,schools,and children's pedestrian routes.
Our children deserve a safe route to school,our families deserve thoughtful planning,and our
community deserves a decision based on more than whether a particular use is technically
allowed.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jasara Hanson
Sheridan Residence
Homelessness in Bremerton
From:Judy Honsowetz <judyhonsowetz@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 05:08 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Homelessness in Bremerton
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to you today as a citizen concerned about the future of Bremerton and the
future of all the unhoused people there.Having spent most of my life in Bremerton,I care
deeply about our community,our residents,
and our shared future.
Over the last 60 years,I have watched the homelessness crisis in our the eity grow.
Alongside it,I have unfortunately witnessed a persistent lack of decisive,city-led action to
address it.While I appreciate that
the council is currently debating the 30-unit tiny home village,we must acknowledge that
this is a drastically scaled-down compromise compared to the much-needed congregate
and hybrid shelter plans that were previously abandoned or stalled by zoning hurdles.
I want to respectfully remind the Council that addressing this crisis is fundamentally a
municipal responsibility.We cannot continue to pass the logistical and financial burden
entirely to our local nonprofits,only
to place roadblocks in their way when they attempt to build solutions.The unhoused
individuals on our streets are our neighbors,and this is a severe,life-threatening crisis that
requires direct,ambitious,and proactive leadership from our city government.
Despite these ongoing challenges,I am incredibly hopeful for our city's future.Bremerton is
a resilient,compassionate,and innovative community.I know that there are many
community partners and together with them
the city has the potential to build solutions that actually meet the scale of this crisis.I
believe in your capacity as our elected leaders to step up,pivot from past delays,and make
Homelessness in Bremerton
the necessary decisions to ensure everyone in our city has a safe place
to sleep.
It is a well documented fact that the money spent on real solutions to homelessness (those
that take a person at a time of crisis and help them through the the many steps of recovery
to become housed and settled)is much less
than the money spent on tent city sweeps,arrests,trials,incarceration,emergency hospital
visits,and funerals.And the outcome is definitely better and assures a safer,more desirable
community.
PLEASE BE PART OF THE SOLUTION,NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.
Thank you for your time,your public service,and your attention to this critical issue.
Respectfully,
Judy Honsoweta
From:Martin Douthit <douthitmartin@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,7 Sep 2026 01:36 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I live close to Sheridan Road where you want the encampment for unsheltered people I have a
green belt that has been historically used by unsheltered people I've had everything stolen
from my backyard people urinating defecating next to the creek and my backyard there are no
services near Sheridan Road to support this encampment I strongly disagree with this proposal
although I do know people need alternatives Sheridan Road is not one of those please
consider this before you move forward 30-year resident in Bremerton Third Generation in
Bremerton this is not a well thought out plan please vote no on this my vote in the upcoming
election will reflect on your decision thank you very much
Protect the future of Bremerton
From:Sharla Bay <smbay31@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 06:12 PM
To:greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us
CC:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Protect the future of Bremerton
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council
I am writing as a resident of Kitsap County to express my opposition to the proposed
homeless encampment in our community.
I recognize that homelessness is a complex issue and that individuals experiencing
homelessness deserve compassion,dignity,and access to necessary services.However,I
believe that creating a large encampment is not a safe or sustainable solution for those
affected or the surrounding community.
My concerns encompass public safety,sanitation,environmental impacts,increased pressure
on emergency services,potential crime and property issues,and the effects on local residents,
families,businesses,and neighborhoods.
I also feel that the community should have the opportunity to provide input before a decision
is made that would significantly impact the area.Residents should be informed about the
proposed location,size,operating rules,security measures,sanitation plans,emergency
response protocols,costs,and the long-term strategy for transitioning individuals from the
encampment to stable housing.
I respectfully request the County Commissioners to:
1.Oppose the establishment of a permanent or large-scale homeless encampment in Kitsap
County.
2.Mandate meaningful community engagement and public input prior to approving any
encampment proposal.
3.Favor safe,structured shelter and permanent supportive housing over unmanaged outdoor
encampments.
4.Outline clear plans for sanitation,public safety,security,environmental protection,and
emergency services if temporary sheltering is considered.
5.Set measurable goals and timelines for assisting individuals in transitioning from temporary
shelter to permanent housing and supportive services.
6.Ensure that the concerns of nearby residents,property owners,businesses,and families are
taken into account in the decision-making process.
Protect the future of Bremerton
I understand that there is no straightforward solution to homelessness.According to Kitsap
County's 2026 Point-in-Time Count,there are 230 people experiencing unsheltered
homelessness,which highlights the urgency of addressing this issue thoughtfully.
However,I believe that Kitsap County can effectively address homelessness without
establishing an encampment that disproportionately impacts a specific neighborhood or
community.
I ask you to reconsider the proposed encampment and focus on solutions that offer a pathway
to stable housing while also safeguarding the safety,health,and quality of life for Kitsap
County residents.
Thank you for considering the concerns of your constituents.I would like my opposition to
the proposed homeless encampment to be entered into the public record and taken into
account before any final decision is made.
Sincerely
Everett and Sharla Rohrbaugh
Please Uphold the Planning Commission Recommendation –Vote No on the Zoning Text Amendment
From:Debbie Smith <caughtmyfancy@hotmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,9 Sep 2026 10:58 PM
To:City Council <city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;"greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us"
<greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Please Uphold the Planning Commission Recommendation –Vote No on the Zoning Text Amendment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor and Members of the Bremerton City Council,
I am writing regarding the proposed zoning text amendment associated with the
temporary encampment proposal on Sheridan Road,which I understand will come
before the City Council for a vote on September 16.
I respectfully ask the Council to reject the proposed zoning change and uphold the
recommendation of the Planning Commission.
At this stage of the process,I believe an important question needs to be asked:If
the professional staff reviewing our land-use regulations recommends
against a zoning change,and the Planning Commission charged with
reviewing that change also votes against it,what compelling evidence would
justify the City Council reaching the opposite conclusion?
The City has a Planning Commission for an important reason.Commissioners are
asked to study proposed land-use changes,consider staff analysis,listen to public
testimony,evaluate impacts,and make recommendations to the City Council.That
process has now taken place.
The Planning Commission voted that the proposed zoning changes should not be
approved.City staff likewise did not recommend approval of the zoning changes.
Those recommendations should carry substantial weight.
This is particularly important because zoning decisions extend beyond a single
applicant or project.Changes to the zoning code establish rules and precedents that
can affect neighborhoods and property owners well into the future.Zoning
regulations should be changed because the City has identified a legitimate citywide
planning need—not simply because changing the code would facilitate a particular
proposal at a particular location.
Please Uphold the Planning Commission Recommendation –Vote No on the Zoning Text Amendment
Throughout this process,residents have raised legitimate concerns regarding the
Sheridan Road location,including its proximity to hundreds of homes,schools and
businesses;potential effects on surrounding property values and future private
investment;security and management questions;and the uncertainty created when
zoning rules are changed to accommodate a use that was not previously permitted.
These concerns do not represent opposition to helping people experiencing
homelessness.The question before the Council is much narrower:Is changing
Bremerton's zoning code the appropriate way to accomplish that goal?
After reviewing the proposal,City staff did not recommend the zoning change.
After hearing the evidence and public testimony,the Planning Commission did not
recommend the zoning change.
The process worked.
Overriding both recommendations without substantial new evidence would raise a
broader concern for residents:what purpose does the City's planning and public-
review process serve if its conclusions can simply be disregarded when they do not
produce the desired outcome?
I respectfully ask the Council to give meaningful weight to the work already
completed by its professional staff and appointed Planning Commission.
Please uphold the Planning Commission's recommendation and vote NO on the
proposed zoning text amendment.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the City of Bremerton.
Sincerely,
Debbie Smith
Bremerton Resident and Property Owner
Tiny home village for the Unhoused
From:Mason Greene <masonmgreene@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 11:18 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Tiny home village for the Unhoused
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to you today as a lifelong Bremerton resident.Having spent my entire life in this
city,currently calling the Manette neighborhood home,I care deeply about our community,
our residents,and our shared future.
Over the last 25 years,I have watched the homelessness crisis in our city grow.Alongside it,I
have unfortunately witnessed a persistent lack of decisive,city-led action to address it.While
I appreciate that the council is currently debating the 30-unit tiny home village,we must
acknowledge that this is a drastically scaled-down compromise compared to the much-needed
congregate and hybrid shelter plans that were previously abandoned or stalled by zoning
hurdles.
I want to respectfully remind the Council that addressing this crisis is fundamentally a
municipal responsibility.We cannot continue to pass the logistical and financial burden
entirely to our local nonprofits,only to place roadblocks in their way when they attempt to
build solutions.The unhoused individuals on our streets are our neighbors,and this is a
severe,life-threatening crisis that requires direct,ambitious,and proactive leadership from
our city government.
Despite these ongoing challenges,I am incredibly hopeful for our city's future.Bremerton is a
resilient,compassionate,and innovative community.I know that we have the community
partners and the potential to build solutions that actually meet the scale of this crisis.I believe
in your capacity as our elected leaders to step up,pivot from past delays,and make the
necessary decisions to ensure everyone in our city has a safe place to sleep.
Thank you for your time,your public service,and your attention to this critical issue.
Respectfully,
Mason M Greene
Pallet shelter zoning
From:Jessica Lewis <jlbecker30@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,9 Sep 2026 02:42 PM
To:city.council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Pallet shelter zoning
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello council members,
My name is Jessica Lewis,and I live just barely in district 1 on Eagle Ave.My spouse
and I just started Kitsap Violins,a small business where we repair orchestral string
instruments and teach lessons.We love living in our neighborhood.It's close to
beautiful parks like Blueberry and Lions,it's easy to access public transit (which I use
weekly),and it's near to gas stations and grocery stores and a library. We feel very
privileged to live here.
I also work at St.Paul's Episcopal Church on Callahan Drive,and through my work
there have become aware of the proposal for rezoning a nearby parcel of land so that
pallet shelters can be constructed for our unhoused neighbors.I am 100%in favor of
rezoning the Sheridan parcel to make this possible.I care very much about my
neighbors who are without housing,or on the verge of losing their housing.
Throughout my life,I've met,lived,and worked in proximity to unhoused folks.I have
loved ones who struggle with housing insecurity. I feel that we need to do something
sooner rather than later,and while the pallet home solution isn't perfect,it's a step in
the right direction. As this neighborhood grows and develops,I don't want to see
anyone left behind.
Folks who don't have a building to protect them are vulnerable.The US Interagency
Council on Homelessness'article "Homelessness Data &Trends"says that
homelessness is a humanitarian crisis,and unhoused folks are statistically likely to
die 30 years before their housed counterparts.Also,unhoused individuals are much
more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of it.
At the beginning of 2026,there were 230 people found to be homeless on a single
night here in Kitsap County (according to the 2026 Kitsap County Point in Time Count
Overview).46%of these were in Bremerton.This doesn't track all the people who are
on the brink of losing their housing.Each of these individuals has a story.Each is
valuable.
Pallet shelter zoning
I would LOVE to see our neighborhoods coming together to meet this crisis in our
community.I would welcome my unhoused neighbors in my neighborhood.We need
to take care of each other.Please vote to rezone the Sheridan parcel so that pallet
shelters homes can be built there!
Thank you very much for your time.
Jessica Lewis
RE:Homeless Camp in Bremerton
From:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 02:27 PM
To:b wheeler <bandjwheeler@comcast.net>
CC:Katherine Woods <Katherine.Woods@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Garrett Jackson
<Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Andrea Spencer <Andrea.Spencer@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Stuart
Anderson <Stuart.Anderson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:RE:Homeless Camp in Bremerton
Dear Jytte &Robert,
Thank you for your email! Since the Sheridan Rd Project is active and under review
by the Bremerton City Council for possible action,I am forwarding your email to the
City of Bremerton Department of Community Development and City Council for their
consideration and to be added as a matter of record. The city is not considering
renting property at this time. The Salvation Army is still operating an overnight
homeless Shelter,laundry services,meals,bus tickets,access to basic healthcare
needs,and referral services for their guests. Maintaining this operation will continue
to be a priority for the city. Take care,I hope you have a great rest of your day!
Sincerely,
Greg Wheeler
Mayor
City of Bremerton
(360)473-5266
From:b wheeler <bandjwheeler@comcast.net>
Sent:Monday,September 7,2026 9:03 AM
To:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Homeless Camp in Bremerton
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor Wheeler:I have been made aware of an effort to establish a 5 acre
homeless camp in the heart of East Bremerton.This is a bad idea and I strongly
object.
I have a better idea.The City should rent unused Camp Wesley Harris for $1.00 per
year from the Navy and use volunteers and grant money to rehab it.Then get a
RE:Homeless Camp in Bremerton
contract with Kitsap Transit to provide reasonabke service.This property has many
potential advantages worth discussing.Feel free to call me to discuss.
Sincerely
Jytte and Robert Wheeler
6048 Sandpiper Ct.
Bremerton,WA 98312
360 440 7695
Yahoo Mail:Search,Organize,Conquer
From:Nomster <bittingernaomi@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,8 Sep 2026 01:44 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to you today as a lifelong Bremerton resident.Having spent my entire life in this
city,currently calling the Manette neighborhood home,I care deeply about our community,
our residents,and our shared future.
Over the last 25 years,I have watched the homelessness crisis in our city grow.Alongside it,I
have unfortunately witnessed a persistent lack of decisive,city-led action to address it.While
I appreciate that the council is currently debating the 30-unit tiny home village,we must
acknowledge that this is a drastically scaled-down compromise compared to the much-needed
congregate and hybrid shelter plans that were previously abandoned or stalled by zoning
hurdles.
I want to respectfully remind the Council that addressing this crisis is fundamentally a
municipal responsibility.We cannot continue to pass the logistical and financial burden
entirely to our local nonprofits,only to place roadblocks in their way when they attempt to
build solutions.The unhoused individuals on our streets are our neighbors,and this is a
severe,life-threatening crisis that requires direct,ambitious,and proactive leadership from
our city government.
Despite these ongoing challenges,I am incredibly hopeful for our city's future.Bremerton is a
resilient,compassionate,and innovative community.I know that we have the community
partners and the potential to build solutions that actually meet the scale of this crisis.I believe
in your capacity as our elected leaders to step up,pivot from past delays,and make the
necessary decisions to ensure everyone in our city has a safe place to sleep.
Thank you for your time,your public service,and your attention to this critical issue.
Respectfully,
Naomi Bittinger
From:Neal Foley <nealfoley1021@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday,5 Sep 2026 11:09 AM
To:City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:nealfoley1021@gmail.com
Subject:Sheridan Site -Please approve!!!
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council,I am writing you to let you know that I completely
100%support the proposed Sheridan Shelter Site.I attended Olympic View
Elementary School there and can't think of a better location for the
proposed site.
I was very surprised to hear at the Kitsap Planning Commission Meeting
that none of the growth plans they reviewed/studied addressed
homelessness so they could not recommend a zoning change for the site
based on their "criteria".I would think that the fact a facility right
across the street with the required zoning would have made it a simple
slam dunk,and perhaps the original criteria was put in place for an
automatic fail?It seems neglectful that an issue that effects us all
has NOT BEEN ADDRESSED in our growth plans for the city and county?We
can see the growing effects around us everyday.This is not a new
problem and ignoring this ongoing issue will not make it go away.
A specified secure location,where people have a safe place to stay
provides simple stability and our unhoused neighbors can find help.This
also provides a place for those offering help to easily find the very
people who need and want help.Where would you stay tonight if you
became broke and unhoused?
Bremerton needs this.Please move us forward and approve this site.
Thank you,
Neal Foley
Homeless Encampment
From:susanne Miller <sandjmiller06@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday,10 Sep 2026 10:15 AM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Homeless Encampment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed zoning change that would allow
a homeless village to be located near established homes and along routes used by children
walking to school.
I want to make clear that I support efforts to address homelessness and provide people with
safe housing and access to appropriate services.However,I believe the location of those
services matters,and the City should carefully consider whether this particular site is
appropriate.
Concerns About Children and Pedestrian Safety
One of my greatest concerns is the safety of children who walk to school in this area.
There are no school buses serving children in this neighborhood,meaning that walking is the
only practical transportation option for many families.Children should be able to travel
between their homes and school using routes that have been thoughtfully considered for
pedestrian safety.
Placing a large homeless village directly along or near children's regular walking routes raises
legitimate concerns that deserve to be addressed before this zoning change is approved.
I recognize that people experiencing homelessness are individuals,and I do not believe
homelessness itself makes someone dangerous.However,communities have a responsibility
to consider potential safety,traffic,pedestrian,and neighborhood impacts when selecting a
location for a large homeless encampment.
The Location Matters
The City should not ask only whether a homeless encampment can legally be placed at this
location.
The more important question is:
Is this the most appropriate location for this type of development?
Homeless Encampment
The City should consider the surrounding homes,schools,pedestrian routes,traffic patterns,
available transportation,nearby land uses,and the availability of alternative locations.
Why is this particular site the best choice?
Have other potential locations been adequately evaluated?
Would a commercial,industrial,port-related,or other non-residential location be better suited
for a development that includes significant on-site services and staffing?
These questions deserve clear answers before the City makes a permanent zoning decision.
Alternative Locations Should Be Considered
I ask the City to examine existing tiny-home villages,homeless villages,and supportive
housing developments in other Washington communities,including Tacoma and Seattle,and
to evaluate how different types of locations have been used.
There may be commercial,industrial,airport-area,port-related,or other appropriately zoned
locations that could accommodate this type of development while reducing conflicts with
established residential neighborhoods and children's pedestrian routes.
If the proposed village is designed to provide services and staffing on-site,the City should
determine whether there are locations where those services can be provided effectively
without placing a large shelter community immediately adjacent to family residences and
school routes.
Neighborhood and Future Development Impacts
The City should also consider the long-term effect this decision could have on surrounding
neighborhoods and future residential investment.
Significant residential developments represent substantial private investment and are intended
to create stable,attractive neighborhoods for families.A major change in the surrounding land
use could affect future investment decisions and the City's ability to encourage responsible
residential development.
The City should evaluate potential impacts on:
Pedestrian and traffic safety
Children walking to school
Neighborhood stability
Property values
Future residential investment
Traffic and parking
Homeless Encampment
Emergency services
Public infrastructure
Quality of life for surrounding residents
Compatibility with existing and planned land uses
These considerations should be part of a transparent site-selection process.
This Is About Responsible Site Selection
Opposing this particular location does not mean opposing efforts to address homelessness.
Our community can care about people experiencing homelessness while also recognizing that
families,children,schools,property owners,and established neighborhoods deserve
thoughtful consideration.
The City has an opportunity to address homelessness while choosing a location that is
appropriate for the scale and nature of the proposed development.
I respectfully ask the City Council to vote NO on the proposed zoning change for this
location and to require a broader examination of alternative sites before approving a
permanent change.
Please consider locations that can provide the necessary housing,services,and staffing while
maintaining appropriate separation from homes,schools,and children's primary pedestrian
routes.
Our community deserves thoughtful planning,transparent decision-making,and a site-
selection process that considers everyone who will be affected by this decision.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Susanne Miller
From:McAllister Kosar <mcallisterkosar@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,11 Sep 2026 05:41 PM
To:City.Council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Public Hearing on Zoning Code Amendments to Bremerton Municipal Code Section 20.46.090 and Temporary
Encampment Permit
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
I wanted to provide written comment to the Bremerton City Council as a resident of Bremerton,280
Washington Ave,in support of the planning commission and city staff recommendation:
"Move to accept the Findings and Conclusions of the Planning Commission,which conclude that
Application BP26 00105 requesting changes to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)section BMC
20.46.090 Temporary Encampment Permits does not meet the code amendment criteria established
by BMC 20.18.020(d),and is therefore denied."
The public,planning commission,and city staff have done the work to make this decision clear for
city council,this project should not take place in this fashion or this location.Bremerton is already
experiencing extreme issues in so many categories like housing cost,housing volume,and willingness
of developers to contribute to those problems.There are countless examples of temporary
encampments worsening conditions for all.
It excites me to see so many community members come together around the topics of housing and
development,and I think opening up to more mixed use development in centers is paramount to
maintaining a healthy tax base.Punishing tax paying citizens with a homeless encampment in an area
targeted for redevelopment is the opposite that should take place,as Harrison Heights is deeply in
need of true mixed use development.Ultimately more housing units and higher tax bases allows for
more opportunities in the housing spectrum,and allows the city to invest further in drug court,and
police officers,without raising taxes.Otherwise,it appears you will be asking your citizens for more
taxes,while putting a homeless encampment in the area you are seeking to redevelop.A new school
nearby should be reason enough to not allow this text amendment.
Thank you,
Mac Kosar
mcallisterkosar@gmail.com
6513878375
NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)Title 20
From:Adam Joe <adamhjoe@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,11 Sep 2026 01:12 PM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)Title 20
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to urge you to oppose the proposed temporary encampment at 1231 Sheridan
Road and protect the surrounding neighborhood.
Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and confident that City decisions will not
undermine the stability of their community.Before placing an encampment in a residential
area,the City must fully account for impacts on safety,sanitation,nearby properties,and
quality of life.
This neighborhood should not be treated as the default location for a problem that requires a
broader,more responsible solution.
Please listen to the residents who will be directly affected and reject this site.
Sincerely,
Adam
Zoning proposal
From:Dan Herron <dh913@hotmail.com>
Sent:Sunday,13 Sep 2026 06:05 PM
To:"city.council@bremertonwa.gov"<city.council@bremertonwa.gov>
Subject:Zoning proposal
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to respectfully ask you to approve the zoning change needed for the Bremerton
Housing Authority’s proposed pallet shelter.
At its heart,this proposal is about helping people in our community who are experiencing
homelessness.People who lack stable housing need more than our sympathy—they need
safe,practical places where they can begin rebuilding their lives.A pallet shelter can provide
an important step toward that stability by giving people a secure place to stay while they
work toward permanent housing.
I understand that zoning decisions require careful consideration of the surrounding
neighborhood and the broader community.However,I believe we should also consider the
human cost of turning away an opportunity to provide shelter to people who desperately
need it.Providing a safe place for people to stay can give them the stability they need to
connect with housing services,employment,health care,and other resources.
This does not have to be an either-or choice between supporting people experiencing
homelessness and protecting our community.With appropriate management and
accountability,the proposed shelter can be part of a thoughtful,compassionate response to
homelessness in Bremerton.
I urge the City Council to approve the zoning change and allow BHA to move forward with
the proposed pallet shelter.Please choose an approach that gives people who are struggling
a chance to find safety,stability,and a path toward permanent housing.
Thank you for your service to the Bremerton community and for considering the people who
need our help most.
Sincerely,
Dan Herron
Bremerton District 6
Zoning proposal
PS If the Council does not approve of this zoning change,please work with the Bremerton
Housing Authority to allocate the Federal money elsewhere.
Pallet Housing
From:hopilight@aol.com
Sent:Saturday,12 Sep 2026 09:24 AM
To:"city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Pallet Housing
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
What a great opportunity to lead Kitsap forward in caring for all of our neighbors and
leadership is surely needed.We are starting to look like we have untouchables in this
country and that is against every principal this country was built on.Please vote for
the
the pallet houses.
Sincerely,Tess Sinclair
Sheridan Encampment
From:C Dümmel <brittbran47@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday,13 Sep 2026 10:45 PM
To:"city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:"greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Sheridan Encampment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Bremerton should not even consider a code change to allow an encampment at any location
within the city. Isn't this the reason it was put in place? BHA is concerned only with their
own agenda. They have no concern for consequences to taxpayers or the blight upon the
city's neighborhoods. (I attended a city council meeting in the past where there was concern
about dandelions growing in rental property yards. This encampment would certainly be
more unsightly than dandelions!).Also,a BHA client trashed my property and the agency did
nothing other than to continue to subsidize their rent at another property! I have done no
business with them since.
Property values decline due to nearby neglected properties,unsavory businesses,crime,etc.
and another reason this encampment should not be allowed.We would not feel safe walking
in the vicinity of an encampment.
Why would BHA squander taxpayer dollars by purchasing property which would not allow an
encampment? Where's the money coming from to manage this encampment? Of course it's
us,the taxpayers!
Any encampment should be located in a secluded area where there will be no harm to the
public.
We say an emphatic "NO"to changing the zoning code and allowing encampments within
Bremerton city limits.
Connie Diimmel
Tim and Gina Singer
Yahoo Mail:Search,Organize,Conquer
Proposed encampment on Sheridan
From:Siff <sjsiff@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,11 Sep 2026 01:28 PM
To:City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Proposed encampment on Sheridan
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To Whom It May Concern:
I urge you to stop trying to put a band-aid on a gaping wound and attempt some actual
progress regarding housing.Tent cities are NOT compassionate,as shown recently in the
article linked below.The field on Sheridan might be a good candidate for a tiny home village-
-something more suitable for long-term living than a tent.I find it inhumane to give desperate
people tent cities and act like it helps.Please do better.
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/boy-tent-enters-school-first-time-age-10-i-want-go-
back/YXVBZUWCOREHFPCYUY3BRATMPU/
Thank you for your time,
Susan
Written comment for September 16,2026 City Council Meetin
From:DIANE MANNING <mdm4711@comcast.net>
Sent:Sunday,13 Sep 2026 03:54 PM
To:"city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:"city.clerk@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<city.clerk@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;"greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us"
<greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Written comment for September 16,2026 City Council Meetin
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
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Councilmembers,
I am submitting this written comment for inclusion in the City Council packet regarding the
requested zoning amendment for the Harrison Heights Subarea Plan.
The Planning Commission’s role is to review proposed land-use and zoning changes and
recommend action based on consistency with the Comprehensive Plan,Subarea Plans,and the
Growth Management Act.This requested zoning amendment is not consistent with any of
those governing documents.Department of Community Development staff also recommended
denial.The Planning Commission reached the correct conclusion,and the City Council should
do the same.
BHA purchased the Sheridan parcel knowing it was not zoned for a multi-year temporary
encampment.They now assert that none of the 42%of land within Bremerton city limits
already zoned for multi-year encampments was viable.That claim is difficult to reconcile
with the availability of multiple appropriately zoned areas.It appears more likely that a
cleared,five-acre parcel available at a low price was simply more advantageous to them.
Changing zoning after the fact to accommodate a purchase that did not meet their operational
needs would set a harmful precedent.It also undermines the purpose of the Comprehensive
Plan and Subarea Plans,which exist to guide predictable,consistent land-use decisions.
Under current leadership,BHA has not demonstrated an ability to work effectively with the
community or build trust.The Executive Director declined to present at the second Planning
Commission workshop,citing “emotion in the room,”and later declined to attend the
Council’s study session.These decisions prevented both bodies from obtaining needed
information and clarification.Based on this pattern,I am skeptical that BHA,under its current
leadership,is positioned to be a reliable partner for the city or the community.
Crime data is also relevant.Bremerton Police reported a 132%increase in drug-related
violations and a 32%increase in aggravated assaults in 2024.Chief Wolfe has stated that
open-air drug activity and many aggravated assaults are centered around the existing
Salvation Army shelter.Crime concentrates around high-need,low-barrier sites and spreads
into adjacent blocks.
Written comment for September 16,2026 City Council Meetin
Four Washington cities—Tacoma,Olympia,Spokane,and Everett—operate low-barrier pallet
shelters.All four report significant levels of crime,including drug activity,assaults,
overdoses,and spillover impact to surrounding neighborhoods.These sites are located in
commercial or mixed-use areas,not in residential neighborhoods like the Sheridan Road
parcel.
The 2024 Kitsap Point-in-Time Count found that 53%of individuals experiencing
homelessness report chronic substance-use disorders.Encampments become focal points for
narcotics activity because residents represent a concentrated customer base,and associated
criminal activity extends into nearby neighborhoods.
Calls for service data reinforces this concern.Based on a public records request,BHA
properties (excluding senior housing)generated 514 calls for service in one year,and
Pendleton Place generated 214 calls in the same period.Police and Fire have also reported
increased calls around the Salvation Army site.These facilities place substantial demands on
emergency services.If organizations operating high-impact sites do not pay impact fees to
offset these demands,the burden shifts entirely to the city.Adding another high-call facility
within the district served by the city’s busiest fire station (Station #3)warrants serious
reconsideration.
Bremerton has already done more than any other jurisdiction in Kitsap County to support
unhoused and low-income residents through shelter capacity,supportive housing,subsidized
housing,outreach,and zoning that designates 42%of city land for multi-year encampments.
Bremerton has met,and exceeded,its obligations.
The city accelerated its search for alternatives because funding for the Salvation Army is
uncertain.Kitsap County should be a primary partner in addressing this issue.It is unclear
why Bremerton should assume additional responsibility when it already carries the largest
share of regional services.
A more appropriate partner may be Eagles Wings,and a more appropriate temporary location
may be an existing building in an area already zoned for such use,either within Bremerton or
within the county.Ultimately,temporary encampments provide shelter only.Individuals
experiencing homelessness need permanent supportive housing or facilities like Pacific
Building in Port Orchard or Pendleton Place,sites that provide wraparound services that
support long-term stability.
I respectively request that you deny this zoning amendment request.
Sincerely,
Diane Manning
Re:Sheridan Proposal
From:Anna Mockler <Anna.Mockler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Saturday,12 Sep 2026 07:25 PM
To:"rlewissj@ix.netcom.com"<rlewissj@ix.netcom.com>;City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Re:Sheridan Proposal
Good evening,Robert Lewis Family.
Yes,a big part of my job is to represent my constituents in everything I can square with my
conscience.
BHA plans,per their latest presentation to Council,to construct 20 (as I remember)pallet
houses,i.e.,houses that come in modules that stack on a pallet,providing 10x12'(or so)rigid
shelter with heat,A/C,bedframe,window(s),etc.On Wednesday,September 16th,Council will
hold a public hearing on the zoning change that is necessary to permit this construction.A
congregate /emergency shelter is permitted under the zoning for the Sheridan Road site,but the
pallet houses are not as of now.
I am forwarding your email and my response to Council staff,for inclusion in the 9/16 agenda
packet as Public Hearing comment.Any effective solutions you have discovered to houselessness
would be greatly welcome!Council has been working on this for at least the 4-1/2 years I've
served so far.We have made some gains,some of which are featured in the 9/16 packet.
Thank you for engaging with city government to make Bremerton better.
Yours,
Anna
Anna Mockler
District Six City Councilor
Government can't make things perfect:it can make them better.
From:rlewissj@ix.netcom.com <rlewissj@ix.netcom.com>
Sent:Friday,September 11,2026 8:24 PM
To:Anna Mockler <Anna.Mockler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Sheridan Proposal
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Anne,
First a heartfelt thank you for all of the time and effort you have given to
our City.
Re:Sheridan Proposal
I listened with interest at the last meeting when you expressed that your
job was to listen to the community.
Our major concern is that some members may want to push their vision for
social activism rather than consider the protection of the community.
We have 4 of these sites in Washington,it simply has not worked. It
becomes a drug dealer and crime center,and unsafe for even the residents of the
shelter.
We all want a solution,we are frankly disappointed that BHA did not
present a more in depth,thoughtful proposal.
We want a proposal that considers the established community of
families that they want to “integrate into”.
Please vote NO-and protect the future of Bremerton.
There is a better,more helpful approach to the actual community they
proclaim they are helping. This population needs programs,health care and above
all,they need to also be safe.
We all agree we want a Solution,we just want a Better Solution…this is NOT
it!
Thank you,
The Robert Lewis Family
From:rlewissj@ix.netcom.com
To:City Council
Cc:Greg Wheeler
Subject:1231 Sheridan Proposal
Date:Friday, September 11, 2026 2:52:20 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
We have watched, with great concern, the conversations regarding the Low-Barrier
shelter for the Homeless.
The BHA knew of the zoning rules when they purchased the property. To put the needs of
a small number (30 proposed) above the safety of the larger community is unfair and an
injustice.
BHA should bring you a proposal that addresses the concerns of the community and is
well thought out in terms of meeting the needs of the community they are trying to serve.
This proposal should not have left the drawing board.
70% of tent-low-barrier shelter community do NOT go on to housing, they leave or they
OD.
You are creating a ONE-STOP sales point for Drug dealers.
We are in favor of a well-planned solution…this is NOT it.
Respectfully,
The Robert Lewis family
NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)Title 20
From:Hana Bae <hanakbae@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,11 Sep 2026 01:11 PM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)Title 20
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
I am asking you to protect our neighborhood and oppose the proposed temporary
encampment at 1231 Sheridan Road.
Residents should not be asked to accept increased risks to public safety,sanitation,
property,and neighborhood stability without clear safeguards,meaningful
community input,and full accountability from the City.
We expect the Council to represent the people who already live,work,and raise
families in this area.Compassion for people experiencing homelessness should not
mean disregarding the legitimate concerns of surrounding residents.
Please reject this location and pursue a solution that does not place the burden on
one neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Hana
Sheridan Park Tiny House Exemption
From:ROSEMARY DOUGALL <rdougall@comcast.net>
Sent:Monday,14 Sep 2026 10:19 AM
To:"City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Sheridan Park Tiny House Exemption
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I support the creation of a pallet shelter on the Sheridan parcel owned by Bremerton
Housing Authority.It's a very big piece of land and those selected to live there can be
vetted as potential good tenants.There are homeless individuals living in our
community now and they will still be here even if the shelter isn't built.Having a safe
place to live makes it much more likely that people can find jobs and permanent
housing.
Rosemary Dougall
3136 Sahali Drive
Bremerton 98310
Sheridan SHELTER Emergency
From:Julie GD <jmgdeshner@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,14 Sep 2026 11:05 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
CC:greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Sheridan SHELTER Emergency
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To:City of Bremerton Department of Community Development /City Council
PETITION FOR AN EMERGENCY LAND USE CODE AMENDMENT AND
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
DATE:September 17,2026
PROPERTY ADDRESS:1231 Sheridan Road,Bremerton,WA 98310
PARCEL NUMBER(S):3824-001-011-0005 (or applicable KCR /BHA designated parcels)
APPLICANT /AGENT:Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA)in partnership with Kitsap
County Housing &Homelessness Division
SECTION I:REQUESTED ACTION
The Supporters of the Sheridan Shelter respectfully requests an Emergency Meeting to
approve this Zoning Text Amendment to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)Title 20,
combined with a Temporary Conditional Use Permit (CUP),to immediately permit the
placement,operation,and management of a 30-unit transitional micro-housing community
(pallet shelter community)with integrated supportive services at the subject property.
To address immediate operational needs,this application invokes RCW 36.70A.390
(Emergency Zoning)and RCW 35A.21.360,which grant local jurisdictions the authority to
implement temporary zoning changes for emergency shelters and transitional housing without
prior notice,provided a public hearing is held within 60 days of passage.
SECTION II:PROJECT JUSTIFICATION &COMPLIANCE
1. Mitigation of an Immediate Public Health &Safety Crisis
The city is currently facing a shortage of low-barrier,service-integrated emergency
housing.Stalling this application risks overloading local shelter networks and losing $1.1
million in federal ARPA capital.This request meets the criteria for emergency action by
protecting public health and securing critical funding.
2. State Mandate Alignment (RCW 35.21.915)
Washington State law prohibits cities from using local zoning regulations to completely bar
transitional housing or emergency shelters within municipal boundaries.Granting this
Sheridan SHELTER Emergency
temporary zoning change ensures compliance with state housing mandates.
3. Intent of the Comprehensive Plan
The 2025–2030 Kitsap Homeless Housing Plan directs the creation of regional micro-
communities to transition individuals from public encampments into stable environments.The
proposed use aligns with the objectives of the city's master plan.
SECTION III:OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS &MITIGATION CONDITIONS
To address community feedback and maintain neighborhood safety,the Applicant commits to
the following operational terms:
-Site Footprint Limit:Restricted to 30 temporary,climate-controlled micro-housing units
and localized administrative service trailers.No permanent congregate structures will be built
under this permit.
-On-Site Security and Management:24/7 staffing managed jointly by Kitsap Mental Health
Services and non-profit partners.The site will feature secure fencing,controlled access,and a
resident code of conduct.
-Duration Clause:Granted for a 3-year fixed term,after which the site must transition to
permanent supportive housing through standard legislative channels or revert to its original
zoning designation.
SECTION IV:APPLICANT SUBMISSION
The Applicant requests that the Community Development Director forward this petition to the
City Council for an Emergency Ordinance Vote at the next scheduled legislative session.
Sincerely,
Authorized Representative
Bremerton Housing Authority /Kitsap County Housing Partners
Bremerton_Emergency_Proposal_2_Pages.pdf
Executive_Briefing_Memo_Sheridan_Road.pdf
Bremerton_City_Council_Emergency_Proposal.pdf
Sheridan SHELTER Emergency
Sheridan_Shelter_Executive_Summary.pdf
Sheridan_Shelter_Council_Speaking_Points.pdf
Bremerton_Shelter_Analysis.pdf
From:Leonard Anderson <lma3241@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 02:27 PM
To:Greg Wheeler <Greg.Wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us;Sheridancommunityalliance@gmail.com
Subject:Re:1231 Sheridan Rd Hearing
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Wheeler -
I sure hope we have a smart enough city council to not approve the change in zoning code to allow
homeless encampments on the subject property.I is not a good place for this use -close to schools,
next to a store which will invite shoplifting,on a busy intersection,big potential of drug use and
distribution,etc.You have lived in this part of the city and know this is just not the right answer.It is
too bad the Housing Authority purchased this property with this type of thing in mind -I consider it a
mistake on their part.
I was on the school board when the property was sold by the school district to the hospital (as you
remember the property used to be the elementary school -Lincoln.I know the hospital bought the
property for a hello pad,but that use is now not needed.I know with the water tanks on the
property it has limited usage,but a homeless tent city is not the right answer.
Please do all you can to make the right decision -no change to the zoning
Thanks,your supporter
Leonard Anderson
RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (MBC)Title 20
From:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Monday,14 Sep 2026 04:49 PM
To:Adam Joe <adamhjoe@gmail.com>
CC:Stuart Anderson <Stuart.Anderson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Garrett Jackson
<Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Andrea Spencer <Andrea.Spencer@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;City
Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Katherine Woods <Katherine.Woods@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (MBC)Title 20
Dear Adam,
Thank you for your email! Since the Sheridan Rd Project is active and along with the code change
under review by the Bremerton City Council for possible action Wednesday evening,I am forwarding
your email to the City of Bremerton Department of Community Development and City Council for
their consideration and to be added as a matter of record. It is important to note that the Salvation
Army is still operating an overnight homeless Shelter,laundry services,meals,bus tickets,access to
basic healthcare needs,and referral services for their guests. Maintaining this operation will
continue to be a priority for the city. Take care,I hope you have a great evening!
Sincerely,
Greg Wheeler
Mayor
City of Bremerton
(360)473-5266
From:Adam Joe <adamhjoe@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,September 11,2026 1:09 PM
To:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (MBC)Title 20
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor Wheeler,
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed temporary encampment at
1231 Sheridan Road in Bremerton and to ask the City to reconsider whether this
location is appropriate for this use.
I recognize that Bremerton needs practical and humane solutions for residents
experiencing homelessness.However,establishing a temporary encampment should
not come at the expense of neighborhood safety,stability,and quality of life.A
RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code (MBC)Title 20
project of this nature requires careful consideration of its proximity to homes,
businesses,schools,parks,and other community spaces,as well as a clear plan for
security,sanitation,drug and alcohol enforcement,emergency response,and
ongoing site management.
Residents deserve more than assurances that the site will be temporary.The City
should provide clear information regarding how long the encampment will operate,
how many individuals will be housed there,what screening and behavioral
expectations will be in place,how violations will be addressed,who will provide 24-
hour oversight,and what measurable criteria will determine whether the program is
succeeding.
I am also concerned about the possibility of concentrating an already difficult
problem in one neighborhood without adequately addressing the underlying issues
of addiction,mental health,public safety,and long-term housing.A temporary
encampment without sufficient services,supervision,and accountability risks creating
additional problems for both the surrounding community and the people the
program is intended to help.
I respectfully ask the City to pause the proposal for 1231 Sheridan Road,meaningfully
consult with nearby residents and property owners,and evaluate alternative locations
and approaches before moving forward.Any solution should balance compassion for
people experiencing homelessness with the City's responsibility to maintain safe,
clean,and stable neighborhoods.
Please consider the concerns of the residents who will be most directly affected by
this decision and provide a transparent public process before any final approval is
given.
Thank you for your consideration.
Adam
From:Kristin Trask <traskers13@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 11:41 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for the Bremerton Housing Authority’s proposal to
build a homeless shelter.
As a lifelong resident of Kitsap County who has lived and worked in downtown Bremerton
for nearly 50 years,this community is my home.The current situation facing our unhoused
neighbors is heartbreaking.It is deeply concerning to see the opposition to this essential
shelter in favor of more commercial apartment developments.
We must consider our most vulnerable community members—children sleeping in tents and
cars,the elderly,individuals with disabilities,and families who have simply fallen on hard
times and can no longer afford housing.
I urge you to show compassion and vote in favor of the shelter to support our community.
Please do what is right for all residents of Bremerton.
Sincerely,
Kristin Trask
Sheridan Road Shelter
From:Matthew Brennan <lordzordon0@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 10:34 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Sheridan Road Shelter
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I saw a post on an unrelated local Facebook page that was encouraging us to speak up support
for a Sheridan Road pallet shelter village.
I am writing to express my *opposition*to such a shelter village.I have concern that
government developed homeless shelters will facilitate more homelessness in the region and
degrade sections of the city.
Although it is good and desired to help those in need,by experience I've noted more
government homeless programs without addressing real underlying issues only increases the
problem.As some have claimed,it seems to become an industry in itself that ends up keeping
people in need and hurts the rest of the populous in the process.
-Matt Brennan
Greater Bremerton resident
RE:Suggestion About Shelter for Homeless People
From:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 09:25 AM
To:Carl Jakobsson <cjakobsson@comcast.net>;Andrea Spencer <Andrea.Spencer@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Garrett
Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Katherine Woods <Katherine.Woods@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;
City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:Fe Lozano <felozano5@gmail.com>;Joy Sumilhig <sumilhig@yahoo.com>;"casuelo71@gmail.com"
<casuelo71@gmail.com>;ESTELA JAKOBSSON <estelacj@comcast.net>;Raul Bacas <rwbacas@yahoo.com>;
"etbremwa@yahoo.com"<etbremwa@yahoo.com>;Estrellita Delacruz <sparklinglittlestar923@gmail.com>;
"lornaabaga@hotmail.com"<lornaabaga@hotmail.com>;Fe Marie Burch <fm_burch90@yahoo.com>;
"vsumil622@gmail.com"<vsumil622@gmail.com>
Subject:RE:Suggestion About Shelter for Homeless People
Good morning Carl,
Thank you for your email which will be added as a matter of record for the Sheridan
site. I am including the City of Bremerton Department of Community Development
and City Council in my reply for their awareness. Take care,have a great day!
Sincerely,
Greg Wheeler
Mayor
City of Bremerton
(360)473-5266
From:Carl Jakobsson <cjakobsson@comcast.net>
Sent:Sunday,September 13,2026 10:13 PM
To:Greg Wheeler <greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Cc:Fe Lozano <felozano5@gmail.com>;Joy Sumilhig <sumilhig@yahoo.com>;
casuelo71@gmail.com;ESTELA JAKOBSSON <estelacj@comcast.net>;Raul Bacas
<rwbacas@yahoo.com>;etbremwa@yahoo.com;Estrellita Delacruz
<sparklinglittlestar923@gmail.com>;lornaabaga@hotmail.com;Fe Marie Burch
<fm_burch90@yahoo.com>;vsumil622@gmail.com
Subject:Suggestion About Shelter for Homeless People
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Wheeler,
RE:Suggestion About Shelter for Homeless People
I am writing with a suggestion about the subject of a shelter for homeless people
on the other side of Sheridan Road from the Filipino-American Community Center.
The people in the general area have expressed legitimate concerns about having a
shelter in the area for which it is proposed shelter,and those concerns are valid.If we
have a shelter operated by a public agency,it will turn into a disaster.
A way to make it work and be a community asset would be to see if the Salvation
Army would be interested in operating it,possibly in partnership with the New Day
Ministry on Sylvan Way.One asset that the Salvation Army has downtown is ready
access to the Bremerton Police Department.If a shelter is operating on the north side
of the Warren Avenue Bridge,that ready police access could be duplicated by having
a police resource officer on duty al alt times to maintain order in and around the
shelter.In the unlikely event that one of the shelter residents misbehaves to the point
at which he or she becomes a danger to the other shelter residents or to the general
public,then that shelter resident could be escorted down to the Shelter of Last
Resort,which is the city jail.In the city jail,the residents can get their 3 meals a day
and a bed to sleep in,under the watchful eye of local law enforcement.
With that kind of arrangement,a shelter on Wheaton Way north of the Warren
Avenue Bridge could work well and be an asset to the community.A shelter at that
location operated by a public agency would probably be an expensive failure.
I cc'd this email to the other Board members of the Filipino-American
Association,because the Filipino-American Association is also affected by anything
that gets built on the other side of Sheridan Road.The opinions in this email don't
represent anybody except me.
Carl Jakobsson
RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code BMC)Title 20
From:Greg Wheeler <Greg.Wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Monday,14 Sep 2026 04:51 PM
To:Hana Bae <hanakbae@gmail.com>
CC:Stuart Anderson <Stuart.Anderson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Garrett Jackson
<Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Andrea Spencer <Andrea.Spencer@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;City
Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>;Katherine Woods <Katherine.Woods@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code BMC)Title 20
Dear Hana,
Thank you for your email! Since the Sheridan Rd Project is active and along with the code change
under review by the Bremerton City Council for possible action Wednesday evening,I am forwarding
your email to the City of Bremerton Department of Community Development and City Council for
their consideration and to be added as a matter of record. It is important to note that the Salvation
Army is still operating an overnight homeless Shelter,laundry services,meals,bus tickets,access to
basic healthcare needs,and referral services for their guests. Maintaining this operation will
continue to be a priority for the city. Take care,I hope you have a great evening!
Sincerely,
Greg Wheeler
Mayor
City of Bremerton
(360)473-5266
From:Hana Bae <hanakbae@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday,September 11,2026 1:10 PM
To:Greg Wheeler <Greg.Wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code BMC)Title 20
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor Wheeler,
I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed temporary encampment at 1231
Sheridan Road.
This is not an appropriate location for an encampment,and nearby residents should
not be expected to absorb the impacts of a decision that could affect public safety,
sanitation,neighborhood stability,and quality of life.
RE:NO CODE CHANGE to Bremerton Municipal Code BMC)Title 20
The City should not move forward without clear answers regarding security,24-
hour supervision,drug use,sanitation,enforcement,duration,and accountability.
Calling the site “temporary”is not enough.
Bremerton needs solutions to homelessness,but those solutions must be
responsible,well-managed,and appropriately located.I urge the City to reject this
site and pursue an alternative that does not place an unfair burden on the
surrounding neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Hana Bae
9/13/26
To: Bremerton City Council
From: Jeanette Moore
Dear City Representatives,
I plan to attend your meeting on the 16th but also want to put in writing my thoughts
about pallet housing and facilities for the homeless. I appreciate the city trying to do
something about our homelessness problem and will vote to support pallet housing.
I don’t know if housing is a “right” but it is a basic human need along with food.
Many residents are fearful of the homeless population but I live next to Sheridan Park
so have experienced many of them. They are not generally violent or aggressive; these
are vulnerable people. We don’t know their story but I see that it is very stressful,
dangerous, uncomfortable and humiliating to be homeless. I do think there are a lot of
mental health issues and addiction involved. What is bothersome to me is the filth and
trash they leave in their wake. The only crimes I have noticed are what looks like petty
theft. Stolen solar lights, shopping carts, bicycles and things that are left outside or in
garages and then abandoned, along with the rest of the trash.
I think providing a place where they won’t get moved on, where they can wash
themselves, their clothes and use a flush toilet. Where they can have some shelter and
better access to services they may need, would not only improve life for the homeless
but improve our city environment. In addition they would have an address that may help
them get in contact with relatives or even apply for jobs once they are more
presentable.
I understand that a lot of home dwellers don’t want this in their neighborhood but the
location chosen has roads and commercial buildings on three sides and very few
houses right next door on the remaining side. There should be a buffer zone there.
This location is walkable to many services and on transit lines. Anyway they are
already in our neighborhoods. We see them everyday car camping and living in
shrubbery. If a zoning change is required it should be done.
I would hope that there would be some onsite management to keep the facilities clean,
garbage in dumpsters and substance abuse limited. In addition some police drive by,
especially at night, to keep the peace and potentially protect a vulnerable group from
attack.
Let’s try to give some of these people a step up and clean up our city!
Written Comment 9/16 Re:Zoning Amendment for Harrison Heights
From:Sally Hass <sallychass@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,14 Sep 2026 06:39 PM
To:Bremerton City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Written Comment 9/16 Re:Zoning Amendment for Harrison Heights
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To:Bremerton City Council
From:Sally Hass
Subject:Public Comment –Requested Zoning Amendment for the Harrison Heights Subarea
Plan
I am submitting this written comment for inclusion in the City Council packet regarding the
requested zoning amendment for the Harrison Heights Subarea Plan.
Since learning through the Kitsap Sun last October about the Bremerton Housing Authority’s
(BHA)purchase of the Sheridan parcel and the proposed shelter,this situation has been a
major focus of my life and the lives of many of my neighbors.
Long before our involvement and long before this proposal,our volunteer Planning
Commission as well as the Department of Community Development spent countless hours
developing the Comprehensive Plan and subarea plans.These plans represented their best
thinking on how to balance the city’s current and future needs—including business
development,high-density housing,mixed-use development,and deeply affordable housing.
East Bremerton and Harrison Heights are critical components to meeting Bremerton’s housing
needs while attracting the taxpayers who fund city services and social programs.In fact,just a
few months ago,this Council authorized the Director of Community Development to apply
for an Opportunity Zone Grant specifically for Harrison Heights because it represented our
city's best opportunity for vital,sustainable growth.
My husband and I are private small developers in Harrison Heights—one of the very few in
the area.Our direct experience with the city’s new building codes began two years ago when
we applied for a permit for a 4,000-square-foot commercial warehouse on our property.We
spent over a year negotiating with the building department to meet every new code
requirement.We were not offered spot-zoning exemptions;we were held to the full measure
of the code,which added approximately 30%to our modest build costs.Had we known that
our limited life savings and energy might end up adjacent to a proposed homeless pallet
shelter encampment,we would never have made this investment in our property.
Because of our build,we had some prior understanding of the Department of Community
Development's function.But once this shelter was proposed,we had to quickly navigate the
Written Comment 9/16 Re:Zoning Amendment for Harrison Heights
broader landscape of city government,the Kitsap County 5-Year Homeless Plan,BHA’s
partnership with Bremerton,and the Harrison Heights Comprehensive Plan.
Throughout this process,a central struggle has been the severe lack of transparency from
BHA and its community partners.Not once in all these months did BHA host a District 2
community meeting to explain their proposal or address our serious safety concerns.Instead,
procedural barriers were continually erected:BHA canceled the May Planning Commission
workshop,requested the cancellation of the July workshop,and urged the Planning
Commission to move straight to approving the zoning change—denying the public due
process.At the July workshop,the BHA Director refused to make a public presentation on the
shelter proposal.The BHA Director did not even attend the City Council Study Session on
September 2nd to be available to answer questions.
Furthermore,the BHA Director continued to make misstatements regarding the City’s role
and financial commitments to the Sheridan site.This prompted the Mayor and City Council
leadership to send a formal document to BHA setting to set the record straight:at no time had
the City endorsed the Sheridan site for a temporary homeless shelter.Despite this,at the
August BHA board meeting,the Director told the board,"We are just trying to do what the
City has asked us to do."In my view,the actions of BHA have severely damaged public trust
and it's reputation This is an agency that relies on community goodwill and a close municipal
partnership.Both a change of BHA Leadership should be considered as well as a redefinition
of the partnership.
Across the Puget Sound region,there is now a mountain of documented evidence showing the
harms associated with low-barrier pallet shelter encampments.The low cost of the structures
themselves is insignificant compared to the massive taxpayer expense required to support
them.The harms to potential residents,the immediate neighborhood,and the city as a whole
make clear that this is the wrong approach.It is the wrong solution for Sheridan,wrong for
homeless individuals,wrong for taxpayers,and wrong for Bremerton.We can do better.
At the August hearing,the Planning Commission and the Department of Community
Development staff recommended denial of the zoning amendment based on its inconsistency
with the Comprehensive Plan,the Subarea Plan,and the Growth Management Act.Staff also
rightly emphasized that Bremerton has already done far more than its fair share to support
regional social and homeless services.
I ask that you respect the diligence and expertise of the Planning Commission and the
Department of Community Development,listen to the residents who live and invest here,and
vote to deny this requested zoning amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Hass
Written Comment 9/16 Re:Zoning Amendment for Harrison Heights
Sheridan Community Alliance /Harrison Heights Property Owner
From:Carissa Daniels <cyberadvocate07@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 03:32 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Sheridan Rd Shelter.Urgent
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Homelessness is a significant problem in our community and pretending it is not,will not make it go
away.A short-sighted refusal to change the zoning law is not a solution.The planning commission
did not consider the reality of the immediate problem.They talk about long term planning,but
unless the problem is addressed,there can be no successful long term plan.
The planning commissions negative recommendation would also result in our community missing out
on millions of dollars that have already been allocated for the project.Those funds can also help our
local economic situation.Not changing the zoning would also result in the worsening of the problem
at a time when we can begin to build solutions.
The planning commission had no interest in coming up with other solutions or alternative sites.The
unhoused do not have other places to go.They will not disappear.The zoning change will begin to
address this critical issue.It is imperative that the City Council step up and do what is right for all of
us.Make the zoning change.Bremerton housing authority is ready to step up and begin addressing
the issue.The funds are allotted.Its time to consider clear solutions to the problem of the unhoused
Now.Please VOTE YES TO APPROVE THE SHELTER ON SHERIDAN ROAD.
Thank you,
Carissa Daniels.
Please do not change the code to permit the Sheridan Road Shelter
From:Vashonia Industries <villcoproper@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 03:10 PM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Please do not change the code to permit the Sheridan Road Shelter
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members,
I am writing as a Bremerton-area resident who cares deeply about our community and about
how we address homelessness.
I believe people experiencing homelessness deserve compassion,dignity,and access to safe
shelter and services.I also believe that Bremerton needs solutions that actually help people
move toward stability and permanent housing.
That is precisely why I am asking you to not change the City's zoning code to permit the
proposed pallet shelter/tiny-home community at the Sheridan Road site.
This is not simply a question of whether Bremerton should provide shelter.It is a question of
whether this particular proposal,at this particular location,is the right solution—and whether
the City should change its rules to make it possible.
The distinction is important.
The City Council previously supported a hybrid low-barrier shelter concept that included both
congregate shelter and pallet housing.The current Sheridan Road proposal is different.The
community partners have acknowledged that the full hybrid model is not currently feasible
and are instead pursuing a modified tiny-home community at the Sheridan site.They also
acknowledge that doing so will require a zoning-code change.
That should cause the Council to pause and ask an important question:
Please do not change the code to permit the Sheridan Road Shelter
Are we changing our City's land-use rules because this is the best location and model for our
community—or because the current proposal cannot proceed under the rules that already
exist?
That distinction matters enormously.
The Sheridan Road site is also near an elementary school and senior-living facilities.Those
circumstances deserve serious consideration.Families should be able to feel confident about
the environment surrounding their children's school,and seniors living nearby should not
have to wonder what changes a new temporary facility may bring to their neighborhood.
I am also concerned about the fact that a formal shelter project,Harrison,is planned less than
a mile away.Before creating another facility in the same area—and changing the City's code
to accommodate it—I believe the Council should require a clear explanation of what unmet
need this second project is intended to address.
What will Sheridan provide that Harrison will not?
How will the two facilities differ?
What will the total cost be?
How will residents be connected to mental-health services,substance-use treatment,case
management,employment assistance,and permanent housing?
And most importantly,what does "temporary"actually mean?
If the City changes its code today,the consequences may extend far beyond this one proposal.
A temporary solution can become an established land-use category long after the original
Please do not change the code to permit the Sheridan Road Shelter
justification has disappeared.
I am not asking the City to ignore homelessness.I am asking the City to do this thoughtfully
and responsibly.
Please address homelessness with solutions that are safe,professionally operated,adequately
serviced,financially accountable,and designed around measurable outcomes.
Please use the existing shelter-planning process to determine where additional capacity is
actually needed before creating another site.
And please do not rewrite the City's zoning code simply to make a particular proposal
possible.
I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed Sheridan Road code change and
require a transparent comparison of the Sheridan proposal and the Harrison project before
moving forward with additional shelter capacity.
Thank you for listening to residents and for considering the long-term interests of the entire
Bremerton community.
Sincerely,
Janet
Pallet homes -Pro
From:Jo Walter <msjowalter@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 11:43 AM
To:city.council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Pallet homes -Pro
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Councilmembers,
Please add my name to the list of supporters for the pallet homes project on Sheridan.
I've followed the issue and understand the reasoning behind the Planning Commission's
recommendation.You have the authority to change the rules,in which case the Commission
would not be expected to oppose the project.Just change the zoning boundaries.
I've heard and read the neighbors'opposition points.So many simply say "it breaks the rules -
vote no."You write the rules and you can,and should,change them as needed.
There are stated concerns about the danger the proposed tenants would bring to the
community.The concerns are based on stereotypes and a misunderstanding of facts.And I
think you know that.
Neighbors'NIMBY opposition can always be expected,and these neighbors'have not
presented strong arguments against the project.
Far more important than the neighbors unfounded fears are the needs of the prospective
tenants.You have spoken for years about your wish to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Here's a chance to do that.
Please make this project possible.
Sincerely,
Jo Walter
Constitution Ave
Bremerton
Speaker 3
Councilmembers,
Good evening. My name is Sally Hass.
Tonight I want to speak to a pattern that has made it difficult for the community to trust
BHA as a planning partner. At the last Board meeting, Executive Director Stanton
stated that, "we are just trying to do what the city is asking of us." But the record shows
repeated actions that undercut that claim.
BHA asked the Planning Commission to cancel its May meeting. At the June meeting,
they requested that all further discussion stop and that the Commission move directly to
a vote instead of conducting a 2nd workshop. Ms. Stanton declined to make any
additional presentations, citing the level of emotion in the room. There were no
advertised District 2 meetings, no clarification of community concerns, no details, and
no transparency. And at the September Study Session, BHA again chose not to
present.
This is not how a trustworthy partner operates.
At the same time, BHA currently has many unfilled apartments across the city and open
vouchers that are not being utilized. lf those units were actively managed and filled, they
could provide stable housing for a large portion of Bremerton's unhoused residents.
That is the work the community expects BHA to prioritize.
We need partners who communicate clearly, operate transparently, and use their
existing resources effectively. Tonight, l'm asking the Council to uphold our adopted
plans and insist on accountability and good-faith engagement" :l
I respectfully ask you to decline this amendment.
3^..-..-v C $'Fs.<
Pallet Shelter on Sheridan Road
From:Kati Mckinley <katiladi27@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 10:10 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Pallet Shelter on Sheridan Road
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
As a Kitsap resident,single mother and Olympic College student,I write in strong support of
the Bremerton Housing Authority's proposed homeless shelter.
This project utilizes a rare funding opportunity under recent GMA updates that will likely not
return under the current administration.Given the closure of Kitsap Homes of Compassion
and the growing crisis facing seniors,disabled individuals,and extremely low-income
residents,this facility is critical.I urge any reader of this email to remember,most citizens of
Kitsap county are one paycheck,accidents or shortcoming away from experiencing
houselessness.
The proposed site is ideally located near food and transit,away from schools being a reason
for other housing proposals to have been denied recently. Furthermore,this project would be
utilizing an underused property to serve our most vulnerable community members while
addressing downtown homelessness.
I urge you to rely on experienced service providers,support the shelter,and secure this
essential funding for our community.Because every community member deserves food
shelter and support.
Sincerely,
Kati Mckinley
From:tidy_duties5m@icloud.com
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 11:56 AM
To:City.Council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA)Motion Public Comment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please support the Alternative Motion:Move to reject the Findings and Conclusions of the Planning
Commission for Application BP26 00105 requesting changes to Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC)
section BMC 20.46.090 Temporary Encampment Permits,and direct staff to perform SEPA review
and prepare an ordinance for future public hearing which adds the Multi-Use Zone of the Harrison
Heights Subarea Plan to zones eligible for a 3-year Temporary Encampment Permit per BMC
20.46.090(h)(1)(ii)(a).
The Planning commission analysis fails to account for all aspects of KCC 21.08.100's associated review
procedures as referenced in the 2026 Administrative Code Edits Planning Commission –Findings of
Fact.
In particular,the analysis does not include anything beyond a review of the consistency of the
proposal with the Comprehensive Plan -of which it also does not state if the amended 2026 Plan was
used or the 2024 non compliant plan that was found by GMHB to fail in accounting for housing for all
income group.The Administrative Code Edits document requires analysis to include 1)whether the
proposal reflects current local circumstances;and 2)whether the proposal bears a substantial
relationship to the public’s general health,safety,morals or welfare.
Regardless,the Comprehensive Plan's guiding mission statement is to support a mix of housing types
across all income levels.To reject this proposal is to reject the Plan's intent.To reject the proposal
based on temporary vs permanent housing not counting towards the comprehensive plan is against
the goals outlined in the 2026 amended comprehensive plan that calls for more housing and policies
that support our unhoused population-exactly what this proposal is trying to fix.While permanent
housing would always be preferred,the reality of our situation is that temporary housing,perhaps
even considering it as a type of Emergency Shelter,is needed until permanent housing can catch up.
We,in Bremerton,are in desperate need of housing for our unhoused population and any and every
step -even those that are the more complex step by our governing officials -to address this failure of
our community should be done.Denying the motion does not help our community but it does
disregards the current local circumstances and welfare of our people for a purely hypothetical future
development.Please do something that helps all our people as this motion has a substantial
relationship to the public’s general health,safety,morals and welfare.
Please select the alternative that would allow the proposal -under the alternative motion -to go
forward.
Todays agenda
From:Sarah White <sarahwh@ckschools.org>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 10:57 AM
To:City.Council@bremertonwa.gov
Subject:Todays agenda
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I am writing today to urge the City Council to ignore the Planning Commission's negative
recommendation and vote YES. I walk this neighborhood and our community deserves to
have shelter and basic needs help. There are elderly community members with nowhere to
get out of the weather,or use the restroom or even throw away their trash.Did you know that
if you do not have a physical address,you cannot purchase car insurance. This is one of the
many things I learned when my Dad was unhoused and living in his car.There are SO many
barriers to finding your way out of houselessness,people who have not experienced it or
helped someone experiencing it cannot know.Helping our community with temporary
shelters is a bare minimum. I hope the council sleeps well after this decision.
Thank you,
Sarah White,Bremerton WA.
Vote NO
From:Katie Silva <katieksilva@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 08:08 PM
To:"City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Vote NO
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please save our neighborhood! Vote NO on the proposal for the low barrier shelter !
Thank you
Katie Silva,concerned citizen
From:Patricia McKinney <patmck58@icloud.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 12:48 PM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us;greg.wheeler@cibremertonwa.us
Subject:Proposed Sheridan Road Homeless Encampment
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please accept my apology for the tardiness of this email regarding our neighborhood and the
property on Sheridan.
I believe we can all agree that this is an enormous problem,that all people need a safe place to live.
We all do.
Our neighborhood is a quiet,safe place.We’ve worked hard to improve our homes and properties,
pay our taxes,have a safe quiet place to return from our jobs,watch out for each other,follow the
rules.
I understand that the unhoused are a vulnerable population,but please take into consideration our
vulnerability as well.I’m talking about the children that walk to school every day as their parents
work.I’m talking about the baseball field adjacent to the property.I’m speaking directly to my son’s
vulnerability;he is permanently in a wheelchair with a severe traumatic brain injury.He so enjoys
being outside,talking to neighbors as they walk by,gardening,enjoying nature.Many of my
neighbors,as well as myself,are a part of an aging population,I’m in my 70’s.Please take into
consideration our vulnerability as well.
My son and I moved from Florida to this beautiful community,
to our current home several houses down from Sheridan on Halverson Avenue.We made the move
completely across the country to live in Bremerton.This is our home,the home that we plan to
spend the remainder of our lives in,the home we love.Please consider this as well.
Thank you for your valuable time in reading this.
Patricia McKinney
2827 Halverson Avenue
305-804-5967
Sent from my iPhone
No Zoning Code Change
From:Bob Yekel <bobyekel3@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 08:35 PM
To:city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:No Zoning Code Change
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Date: September 15,2026
To: Bremerton City Council
Subj: Sheridan Road Homeless Shelter Project /Proposed Zoning Amendment
I am a retired surgeon and longtime Bremerton resident. In 1966,my wife and I
decided to make Bremerton our home and dedicate our lives to helping build a
stronger community. I helped establish an Emergency Response system that led to a
911 call center and started an EMT training program at Olympic college. My wife,a
professional nurse,devoted her career to the Kitsap County Health Department while
also raising our family and remaining actively involved in the community. Our two
children were raised and educated in Bremerton.
Bremerton has been our home for more than 60 years.
1) Housing alone does not address the underlying challenges faced by
many people experiencing homelessness. Appropriate treatment for
substance-use disorders,mental-health services,employment assistance,
and other supportive services should be integral to any long-term solution.
2) The location deserves scrutiny. Its proximity to established
neighborhoods,businesses,senior residents,recreational facilities,and
especially the schools raise legitimate questions about compatibility,public
safety,and impacts on the surrounding community.
3) What are the full financial obligations to the City? Residents deserve
to understand the municipal costs associated with the proposed use,
including what happens if outside/grant funding is reduced or expires.
4) What will be the long-term effect on the surrounding community? The
City should carefully consider potential effects on existing homeowners,
neighborhood stability,nearby businesses,future residential and
commercial investment,and Bremerton’s tax base.
After more than six decades in this community,I care deeply about Bremerton’s
future. We can recognize our responsibility to help people experiencing
homelessness while also requiring that the location,services,public-safety impacts,
No Zoning Code Change
and long-term costs of the project be considered.I respectfully ask you to follow the
recommendation of the Planning Commission and do not allow the zoning code
change.
Sincerely,
Dr.Robert Yekel
Re:Vote on Wednesday
From:Anna Mockler <Anna.Mockler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 01:39 PM
To:Robert Lewis <kk42liberty@gmail.com>;City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Re:Vote on Wednesday
Mr Lewis,thank you for your comment.I am forwarding it to Council staff for inclusion in the
public comment on this topic.
Sincerely,
Anna
Anna Mockler
District Six City Councilor
Government can't make things perfect:it can make them better.
From:Robert Lewis <kk42liberty@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday,September 13,2026 6:57 PM
To:Anna Mockler <anna.mockler@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Vote on Wednesday
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Washington has 4 of the low-barrier sites,Tacoma,Olympia,Spokane,Everett.
ALL REPORT:
High levels of crime
Drug use
Drug Dealing
Assaults
Overdoses
Spillover Crime
They are referred to by the cities they are in:"magnets for narcotics","crime hotspots""drug
gang networks"
These are all in Commercial or mixed use areas,not directly in a residential community.
We do support a solution,I have to believe there are better solutions out there than importing
this element into an established family community.
We do NOT want to be Seattle,in fact the Seattle population is moving here to escape these
issues.....
Bremerton resident-Bobster
Re:Vote on Wednesday
Vote NO on the proposed rezoning at 1231 Sheridan Road
From:cesilva@bellsouth.net
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 08:55 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Vote NO on the proposed rezoning at 1231 Sheridan Road
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council Members,
Please vote NO on the proposal to rezone the tract at the corner of Sheridan Road and
Wheaton Way that would otherwise allow a low-barrier homeless shelter to be built on the
property. For the sake of all your fellow,tax-paying neighbors who live near this area,we
urge you to vote against this proposal. East Bremerton citizens’safety and quality of life are
at stake if this proposition were to be approved. With the failure of four similar projects
around our State as vivid examples of the probable outcome,please let’s not do this to our
city. Let’s keep Bremerton safe and sound—vote NO.
Respectfully,
C.E.Silva
Tiny Homes Project
From:sue ahrens <suzy_q_95@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday,16 Sep 2026 07:15 AM
To:"City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us"<City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Tiny Homes Project
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Almighty and most merciful God,we remember before you all poor and
neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget:the homeless and the
destitute,the old and the sick,and all who have none to care for them.Help us
to heal those who are broken in body or spirit,and to turn their sorrow into joy.
Grant this,Father,for the love of your Son,who for our sake became poor,
Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
Book of Common
Prayer
I am Sue Ahrens,a resident of Bremerton and the Senior Warden for St.Paul’s
Episcopal Church at 700 Callahan Drive,Bremerton.We are taught to “love our
neighbors as ourselves.”The question is,“Who are our neighbors?”According
to Google,there are 286,737 people living in Kitsap County.16%live in
Bremerton making it the largest community in the county.The homeless account
for .08 -.4%of the population in Kitsap County.Of that number,46%–58%
reside in Bremerton.We need to show care and compassion for these people.
They are our neighbors.They are not outsiders or non-existent.They are a part
of us.How we treat them shows the world who we are.
There has always been “those people.”People not wanted in our neighborhoods,
our faces.Native Americans,Chinese,Japanese,Italians,Irish,Mexicans,
African Americans,trans people,….The list goes on and on.They have been
forced off their lands,forced into internment camps,lynched,legislated into
oppression.
Many fears and concerns have been voiced over the Tiny Home project.People
fear for their safety.That crime will increase if the homeless are given a place to
stay.That is not the general rule.In places where the homeless were given a roof
over their head,crime actually went down.The homeless are the victims of
crime because they do not have a safe place to lay their heads with a locking
door.People fear that just anybody will move in.That is not so.The homeless
Tiny Homes Project
will be vetted before given a key.People fear that their property values will go
down.Their property values have already gone down with the departure of
Harrison Hospital.Businesses have moved away.
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bremerton ranges from $1495 to
$1626 per month according to Google.I could not afford that.It is by the Grace
of God that I am not living on the streets.I am a single,senior woman living
alone.Yet we expect the homeless to find a place?With what money?They are
not homeless because they want to be.Well,maybe a few are.But most are on
the streets because something has happened –loss of employment,divorce,
medical problems,mental health concerns,addiction,…At St.Paul’s we
acknowledge and respect the dignity of all persons,housed or unhoused,
addicted or sober,mentally ill or neurotypical.Do you?
I started this with a prayer,and I will end with a prayer.
Look with pity,O heavenly Father,upon the people in this land who live with
injustice,terror,disease,and death as their constant companions.Have mercy
upon us.Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors.Strengthen
those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal
opportunities for all.And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of
the riches of this land;through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
Book of Common
Prayer
Sincerely,
Susan M Ahrens
Sue Ahrens
Re:Reminder:Public Hearing,September 16
From:Robin Weldin <rdmoley26@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 12:05 PM
To:Garrett Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
CC:City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Re:Reminder:Public Hearing,September 16
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
The city of Bremerton has broken it's contract with the BHA,by going to extreme,unlawful
measures to kill the lifesaving BHA full service shelter and transitional housing that the 2024
Bremerton City council approved and obligated US Treasury ARPA funding to in January and
December of 2024. Since then it has been a non stop sabotage of the shelter and local
officials working with Wesley Larson to kill the BHA public good project for Wesley
Larson's master plan for Harrison Heights and District 2. The sham precision hearing that is
not allowed under HB2266 and that "staff"recommended,to the 4 Planning Commission
members that weren't conflicted (one being Larson's principal partner who did not excuse
himself from any other "recommendation that enriched SWG ) or no longer with the PC but
referred to as "sick",that they should go with decision #3 (no change to Bremerton's WA
state non compliant temporary encampment code ). There was only one Planning
Commissioner membe that voted his conscience and seemed to be aware of conflict with WA
state law and obviously wasn't controlled by Wesley Larson or his fixers in Bremerton's DCD
("staff")that voted against the SWG "staff"recommendations.
To the DCD:Please the lawful and humane thing and honor your original contract with the
BHA,that had no stipulation about location that is part of Larson's master plan. The BHA is
doing the right thing by trying to save and change lives.They are the only local government
body that is trying to do actual public good for residents that are the victims of the city of
Bremerton's subservience to Larson and his SWG oligopoly of market rate developer
investors. Comply with the now 4 state housing laws requiring cities to change local codes to
make shelters and transitional housing happen.This city government is in violation of
RCW.35.83.030,cooporation with other public government bodies (BHA )in making
exceptions to local building regulations and cooperating in planning,undertaking,
construction or operation of homeless shelters and transitional housing. Do the right thing
now,before more homeless people die from exposure and inhumane neglect.
To the council,please do your jobs to represent all Bremerton's and uphold WA state law and
US law and refrain for once from rubber stamping yet another "recommendation from a
Planning Commission that is controlled by Larson,Pauuw and their "influencers"to enrich
the SWG oligopoly and harm residents who are victims of hyper gentrification,inflated rents
and barriers to rent. Please keep your obligated promise and uphold the contract that you
have with BHA and partners to get the wraparound service hybrid shelter and pallet
Re:Reminder:Public Hearing,September 16
transitional housing built so it can start saving and changing lives. Please remember that WA
state law is superior to the whims of this lawless local government. You will be held
accountable as public officers,as will the Planning Commission,DCD,mayor and city
attorneys.
I would like to adopt Jose Camacho's Friends of Smith Cove Comment that is attached. I
would also like to adopt as part of my comment,Mr.Camacho's /FOSC comment for the
council meeting on the 16 of September,2026.
Robin Weldin
Friends of Smith Cove
On Mon,Sep 14,2026 at 2:28 PM Garrett Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
wrote:
Good Afternoon,
The City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an application for Zoning Code
Amendments submitted by the Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA)to amend Chapter
20.46.090 of the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC),which governs Temporary Encampment
Permits.The public hearing will take place at 5:30PM September 16th in the First Floor
Chambers of the Norm Dicks Government Center,345 6th St,Bremerton WA.All interested
persons may appear and provide testimony,additional material on this subject and
information on how to participate can be found on the City Council Webpage
(https://www.bremertonwa.gov/691/Council-Meetings).Written comments may be emailed
directly to the City Council at City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us.Please let me know if you
have any questions.
Garrett Jackson
Planning Manager
(360)473 -5289
Mailing Address:345 6th Street,Suite 100
Physical Address:345 6th Street,Suite 600
Bremerton,WA 98337
Re:Reminder:Public Hearing,September 16
9-2-26 FoSC Community Comment - Request For Anti-Trust / Criminal Investigation Of Denise Frey /
Jack Paauw / Sound West Group Collusion
1 message
Friendsof Smith Cove <friendsofsmithcove@gmail.com>Wed, Sep 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
To: City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>, Friendsof Smith Cove <friendsofsmithcove@gmail.com>, Robin Weldin
<rdmoley26@gmail.com>, kimmysiebens@yahoo.com, Evinger, Matthew (ECY) <MEVI461@ecy.wa.gov>, Matthew.Evinger@ecy.wa.gov,
nelsons@sao.wa.gov, scott.nelson@sao.wa.gov
Cc: mobiussaiyanz@gmail.com, Jose Camacho <paralegal312@gmail.com>, rmalcom@suquamish.nsn.us
Bcc: monopoly@atg.wa.gov
Please include the following as the "Community Comment" of FoSC for today.
Wesley Larson's Lie Began The City's Latest Phase Of Deceit Upon The Public
As part of the cover-up of city officer malfeasance in its favoritism towards Wesley Larson, Larson and
his city government “par tnership” gagged FoSC and allies starting with his false petulant letter demand
to city government on 9-9-25 featuring a core lie and smear, which the city then ran with for over a half
year in its lawless “pause” on our public forum free speech and OPMA rights, specifically, per Larson:
“The conduct of individuals from these groups has become increasingly hostile, aggressive and
threatening towards SWG personnel at and following city council meetings to the point that we do not
feel safe attending those meetings.”
Larson’s lie was racist 'othering,' without objective bases, and violated RCW 9A.76.175 – making a false
or misleading material statement to a public servant. Not his first time.
Duty Of Candor
The city attorneys of Bremer ton's municipal government implemented Larson's lie (the so-called
"pause") in order to gag FoSC's criticism of this corrupt government, servile to the SWG oligopoly, and
now criminally complicit in such matters as the DCD-rigged Wesley Larson shoreline project known as
the Evergreen Pointe project - a key feature of illegal project was the rigging of the 2019-2021 SMP
periodic review process - another illegal deployment of fraud upon the public by city officers and
officials.
The city attorneys of Bremer ton's municipal government cannot abet frauds upon the public, and cannot
passively sit in on public hearings and meetings calculated to mislead the public. But that is exactly
what Kylie Finnell has done throughout the BHA shelter matter. Attorneys have a duty to uphold the law
and this begins with the duty to research the law. See: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/nlr Attorneys do not
have the excuse of ignorance.
Rule of Professional Conduct 4.1, "Truthfulness In Statements To Others:"
“In the course of representing a client a lawyer shall not knowingly:
(a) make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person; or
(b) fail to disclose a material fact to a third person when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a
criminal or fraudulent act by a client ...
Misrepresentation
[1] A lawyer is required to be truthful when dealing with others on a client’s behalf, but generally has
no affirmative duty to inform an opposing party of relevant facts. A misrepresentation can occur if
the lawyer incorporates or affirms a statement of another person that the lawyer knows is false.
Misrepresentations can also occur by partially true but misleading statements or omissions that are
the equivalent of affirmative false statements. ...”
For the public officers of Bremer ton's city government, a similar duty of candor applies via criminal
statutes intending to impose an understanding on our "public servants" that lying to us is not an option.
See RCW 42.20.040 and RCW 9A.76.175.
RCW 42.20.040 False Repor t
"Every public officer who shall knowingly make any false or misleading statement in any official
report or statement, under circumstances not otherwise prohibited by law, shall be guilty of a gross
misdemeanor."
RCW 9A.76.175 Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
"A person who knowingly makes a false or misleading material statement to a public servant is
guilty of a gross misdemeanor. "Material statement" means a written or oral statement reasonably
likely to be relied upon by a public servant in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties."
The entirety of the leadership of Bremerton's city government, and this includes your Highness Larson
and his "Sound West Group" oligopoly, has undertaken to sabotage the Bremerton Housing Authority's
transitional housing project sited at 1231 Sheridan. And this sabotage in the typical routine of this
government has deployed this campaign through deception, misleading, and cherry-picking law and
jargon, while omitting actual applicable law. This violates our Constitution, including the public's right
(First Amendment and Due Process) to receive full material non-misleading information from our
government.
This is what you have omitted:
Contract Between BHA & City Of Bremerton
In Washington, there is in every contract an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing which "obligates
the parties to cooperate with each other so that each may obtain the full benefit of performance." Rekhter
v. DSHS, 323 P.3d 1036, 180 Wash.2d 102 (2014). The agreement between the BHA and Bremerton
explicitly incorporates the BHA’s plan for its hybrid shelter project, and nowhere written or implied is
there any preclusion of the 1231 Sheridan site.
That agreement states:
"The Par ties NOW, THEREFORE, agree as follows:
AGREEMENT:
1. PURPOSE, RECITALS AND ATTACHMENTS INCORPORATED. The Purpose and Recitals set for th
above and the Attachments, Resolution No. 3375 and the January 10, 2024 City Council
Presentation, are expressly incorporated into the Agreement by this reference. ..."
As evidenced by this contract, no one in Bremerton's city government had a problem with leaving the
siting of BHA's project open-ended.
To the contrary, we see Denise Frey extolling the BHA project potentially being located in her District 2.
See “1-17-24 Denise Frey Vouches For BHA Hybrid Shelter Project & For Her Own Dist. 2 As Its Location”
https://youtu.be/dnJ8GPUuw7E
Constitutional Prohibition Against Impairment Of Public Contracts
This municipal government is in bad faith violating the Constitution. Again.
City government, including city council, cannot impair the BHA contract by misrepresenting law, then
voting to flout the contract and the law hidden from the public.
Impairment of contracts is Constitutionally forbidden. Washington’s Constitution, Article 1, Section 23,
and U.S. Constitution, Ar ticle 1, Section 10.
The three part test for legislative impairment of public contracts is: 1. whether a contractual relationship
exists; 2. whether the legislation substantially impairs the contractual relationship; 3. whether the
impairment was reasonable and necessary to serve a legitimate public purpose. Caritas Services v.
DSHS, 869 P. 2d 28, 123 Wash. 2d 391 (1994). This threshold is easily met in the BHA's favor - which is
to say in the favor of the homeless community you seek to crush and drive out or monetize.
Governmental Status & State-Level Mandates Of BHA
The Bremerton Housing Authority exists independently of the city as it is authorized and empowered
through the Housing Authority Law, Chapter 35.82 RCW.
The BHA exists as a manifestation of Federal and state policy specifically for low income housing. City
government has elided the governmental status of the BHA and its mission – one which the city has
itself abandoned in favor of Denise Frey and SWG's wet dream of hyper-gentrification.
The BHA mission derives from the state’s declaration of the necessity for low-income housing.
Municipal level graft, Larson's caprice, whim, or aporophobia cannot impinge on state policy:
RCW 35.82.010 Finding and declaration of necessity.
“It is hereby declared: (1) That there exist in the state insanitary or unsafe dwelling accommodations
and that persons of low income are forced to reside in such insanitary or unsafe accommodations;
that within the state there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations available at
rents which persons of low income can afford … these conditions necessitate excessive and
dispropor tionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health
and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities; (2) that these areas
in the state cannot be cleared, nor can the shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons of low
income be relieved, through the operation of private enterprise, and that the construction of housing
projects for persons of low income (as herein defined) would therefore not be competitive with private
enterprise; (3) … the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low
income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property
acquired and are governmental functions of state concern; (4) that it is in the public interest that
work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve
unemployment … and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is
hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.”
RCW 35.82.030 Creation of housing authorities.
“In each city ... of the state there is hereby created a public body corporate and politic to be known
as the "Housing Authority" of the city ... by proper resolution ... asserting that there is need for an
authority to function in such city ... The governing body shall adopt a resolution declaring that there
is need for a housing authority in the city ... if it shall find (1) that insanitary or unsafe inhabited
dwelling accommodations exist in such city or county; (2) that there is a shor tage of safe or sanitary
dwelling accommodations in such city or county available to persons of low income at rentals they
can afford; or (3) that there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwellings, apartments, mobile home
parks, or other living accommodations available for senior citizens.”
Per BHA history (p.11) consistent with state concern, public interest, and requirements, Bremerton
passed its enabling resolution in 1940, creating an independent BHA:
"There is a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations in the City of Bremerton available
to persons of low income at rentals they can afford, and said shor tage is primarily caused by the influx
of employes of the Puget Sound Navy Yard due to the emergent needs of national defense."
https://bremertonhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BHA_Original_Annual_Repor t.pdf
This author continues to maintain that STEP Housing law, including RCW 35.21.683, RCW 35.21.689,
RCW 35A.21.430 and HB2266, applies to BHA’s efforts as FoSC has previously argued during the gag
order the city called the “pause.” During the joint SWG-city government "pause" gag, city government
went on an orgy of lies and bumbling to undermine the shelter project, its ARPA funding, and other chaff
and disinformation which has continued into the "empty ceremony" planning commission meetings.
Through the chaff of the onslaught of city government’s manipulations and deception, including an
astroturfed incitement, we belatedly intuited the thought: shouldn’t the BHA’s governmental status and its
legislative low-income mandate change the analysis?
Housing Cooperation Law
The BHA contract “obligates the parties to cooperate with each other.” Rekhter v. DSHS, supra.
Cooperation is also legislatively mandated by Chapter 35.83 RCW, the Housing Cooperation Law, This is
tied to the raison d'être of the BHA. The Housing Cooperation Law incorporated into contract between
BHA and the city, details not only the duty to cooperate, but how to cooperate:
RCW 35.83.030 Cooperation in undertaking housing projects.
“For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, under taking, construction or operation of
housing projects located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any state public body may
upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine: … (4) Plan or replan, zone or
rezone any par t of such state public body; make exceptions from building regulations and
ordinances; any city or town also may change its map; … … (8) Do any and all things, necessary or
convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of such
housing projects; ...”
RCW 35.83.060 Procedure for exercising powers.
“The exercise by a state public body of the powers herein granted may be authorized by resolution
of the governing body of such state public body adopted by a majority of the members of its
governing body present at a meeting of said governing body, which resolution may be adopted at the
meeting at which such resolution is introduced. Such a resolution or resolutions shall take effect
immediately and need not be laid over or published or posted.”
We who have experienced homelessness testified to this omitted law and legal framing on 8-17-25 at
the planning commission, including but not limited to Zach, Brandy and this author:
Zach at planning commission 8-17-26:
"Good evening, chair and members of the planning commission. My name is Zachary Mar tin and I am a
resident of Kitsap County. I've lived here since April of last year. I'm here tonight to ask you to
recommend that city council do everything possible to expedite the homeless shelter planned on
Sheridan Road. This matters to me personally because I am also homeless. I know firsthand what it's
like to not have a safe place to sleep at night. When you don't have that, everything else becomes so
much harder. Your health, your safety, your ability to work, to think about tomorrow. This shelter will
benefit our whole community. But I can tell you it will mean safety and dignity for people like me, your
neighbors. It's not just a building. It's a chance to rest, to be safe, to get stable. Bremer ton is in a crisis
and we need more options for housing and shelter and we need them now. This shelter is compassion.
It's community health and it's how we become stronger together. Investing in this today builds a
healthier, more hopeful tomorrow. I want to be part of a better Bremerton and I hope this shelter can
help me get there. Please be part of the solution. Please move this project forward. Thank you."
Jose at planning commission 8-17-26:
“Jose Camacho, Friends of Smith Cove. Um, Rock The block. I'm an ex paralegal. Uh, we became
Friends of Smith's Cove because we realized the city used calculated omission to deform the law and
to rig public processes and projects, including for Wesley Larson. And what we hear from Garrett
Jackson is deception because he's omitted the actual law called Housing Cooperation Law. With a
simple resolution, it could happen Wednesday, the council could simply make an exception. Every
single point made in the planning commission can be addressed by resolution. This is the law. This
destroys any possibility of a spot - zoning argument, of a location or site-based argument. I
looked through all the documents. This has never been mentioned by any of the planners for the city.
This is how they rigged the Evergreen Pointe. This is calculation. Law should always be taken in
context. So if you look at the law, it will tell you that zoning, rezoning, replanning, exceptions to building
regulations, are all okay. This law acts as a supplement to any existing law. So why haven't we heard
this? That's because someone doesn't want you to hear this. You guys are up here, at least half of you, I
recognize you in good faith. So as a neutral commissioner with integrity when you don't get this as part
of your input you are skewed, and the whole public is skewed when we don't get this information. This
is how it happens. This is what happened to the Evergreen Pointe. This is a violation of the First
Amendment because the public has a right to know material information. If we don't get full
information, we're skewed. We're crippled from fully participating in democracy. This is what happened
with the 2019-2021 SMP periodic review in which they created Trojan horses which were then used to
rig the Evergreen Pointe. This is an incredibly cynical thing. I just discovered this Thursday or Friday. So,
it's not eas - law is not natural or intuitive. But it must be sought. We have professional attorneys with
degrees and it's their job to do this for us. Ordinary citizens - I'm I'm a bum. I'm a hobo, right? - Ordinary
citizens should not have to become investigators to counteract the cynical manipulation of city
planners and city attorneys working for developers. Thank you.”
Brandy at planning commission 8-17-26:
“Okay. Good evening. I'm here tonight urging that you approve the shelter. The city of Bremerton has
already said yes to this project, not once, but twice. The city committed their funding. BHA has invested
in this project, and people have spent years working on a solution to homelessness in this community.
Now we're talking about throwing it all away. Throwing all the people in desperate need of our support
away. Washington law specifically recognizes housing authorities as public bodies created to address
the shor tage of safe, affordable housing. The Housing Cooperation Law gives cities such as Bremerton
the authority to cooperate with housing authorities such as the BHA and specifically allows them to
pass a resolution except excepting any issues of zoning, rezoning, building regulations, and/or
amending ordinances for housing projects. RCW 35.83.60 says these powers can be exercised by a
simple resolution of the governing body. It is that simple. The Washington Supreme Court addressed
this very issue in Mercy v. City of Seattle. The cour t recognized that housing authorities and the
municipalities working with them have special statutory powers for accomplishing this public purpose
through one resolution under the Housing Cooperation Law. So if there's a zoning problem, solve the
zoning problem by a resolution exempting the zoning issue. If there's a regulatory problem, solve the
regulatory problem the same way. If there's a contractual problem deal with the contract and enter it in
as a resolution. We cannot keep wasting time. There's already public funding committed to this project
and that funding has a deadline. If we keep delaying until the funding disappears, then what have we
accomplished? I also want to address something else. We talk about homeless people as though we
have to decide which homeless people are deserving. The elderly deserve housing. Children deserve
housing. Disabled people and veterans deserve housing. But so do the people struggling with addiction.
So do people struggling with mental illness. So do people who lose their jobs and fall on hard times and
make terrible decisions. People who have not gotten their life back together yet still deserve housing.
Everybody deserves housing. Everybody needs housing. Everybody deserves somewhere safe to sleep.
And if we're going to talk about the homeless people as though they're the threat to our community and
we're going to use them as the boogeyman, then isn't it actually more reasonable to public safety to
have them inside of a shelter than outside with nowhere to go? A shelter gives people a place to sleep,
a place to connect with services, a place to stabilize, and a place to begin moving forward. You don't
solve homelessness by making homelessness harder to see. Pushing it out of your face doesn't make it
go away. You solve it by giving people somewhere to go. The city already made a commitment to this
project and the funding is there. The need is there. The legal tools exist to address the obstacles. So,
I'm asking you, do not abandon this project. Don't delay and let it become the reason that this shelter
never gets built. We're just asking that you pass a resolution to build this shelter.”
No commissioner, planner, nor city attorney addressed this city-omitted law and framing. This can't be
surprising because the rigging of Wesley Larson's $57 million dollar Opportunity Zone Evergreen Pointe
project and the Shoreline Master Program started in 2019 , we exposed it in late 2023, and the city
government only stalled that project, and - except for Anna Mockler's brief exchange with Ecology
agreeing our E.P. Project / Shoreline Management Act contentions - city officers and leadership covered
up the malfeasance and obstructed / retaliated against our valid criticisms and requests for
accountability.
Ordinary citizens should not have to struggle to ascertain the truth and the law because of city
government's manipulations, concealment and misleading of the public. Since as a matter of survival we
are forced to take on the challenge of fighting your corruption and abuse, we do the research and
investigation you do not, and it shows that the Housing Authorities Law and the Housing
Cooperation Law have been analyzed and applied by our Courts.
Holding & Rationale Of Mercy v. Seattle & Wilcox v. Housing Authority
Applicable case law exists. Wilcox v. Housing Authority of the Cy. of King, 66 Wn.2d 864, 405 P.2d 723
(1965) and Mercy v. City of Seattle, 429 P.2d 917, 71 Wash.2d 556 (1967) explain that the State of
Washington enacted the Housing Authority Law and the Housing Cooperation Law together to permit
the political subdivisions of this state “to qualify for the benefits of the federal Low-Rent Housing Act”
for an express purpose: “to remedy the unsafe and insanitary housing conditions and the acute
shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for families of low income.”
The rationale of the two state statutes and the implementation of the mission to alleviate low-income
housing shortages, and their interplay to effect the federal and state imperative to achieve actual low-
income housing is laid out clearly in Mercy v. City of Seattle. Why did none of the city’s attack on the
BHA even hint at this law? The city attorneys office has a duty to research the law to uphold the law.
Even if they know nothing on an issue on Day One, they have a duty to investigate and research the law
on that issue on Day Two – or before the public is deceived by Denise Frey and DCD’s developers’
disinformation and drivel. The verbiage and graphics we see issuing from Garrett Jackson in this latest
disgrace was free of law or analysis. It was for show. There was no concern there for law or its
objective impartial application. FoSC has seen this before with the Evergreen Pointe / SMP
malfeasance. DCD planners are neither attorneys nor concerned with legal analysis. Why is Kylie Finnell
paid a city salary as the city attorney if not to prevent the color of law from being used to defeat the rule
of law and to fur ther marginalize the homeless and those attempting to give their dire needs a voice?
In Mercy v. Seattle, a city council cooperated with the Seattle Housing Authority by using the Housing
Cooperation Law, RCW 35.83.030, to except parking space requirements for a 300 unit apartment
structure for low-income elderly. The opponent of this Housing Cooperation Law exception challenged
this as an ordinance which did not follow the procedural steps outlined in the city’s existing zoning code
for making of zoning changes or the granting of zoning exceptions or variances. The Mercy Court
agreed with the Housing Authority, holding that Seattle’s city council derived and was invested with the
power to override its procedure to enact an exception pursuant to the Housing Cooperation Law, RCW
35.83.
This holding rests on the HAL and HCL and Mercy’s examination and adoption of the logic of Housing
Authority of Los Angeles v. Los Angeles, 38 Cal.2d 853, 243 P.2d 515 (1952):
“The housing authority was thereby created as a state agency, ‘a public body corporate and politic’ and
is not an agent of the city in which it functions. Similarly the city under the Housing Authorities Law is
an agency of the state, functioning under state law to fulfill state purposes, and is not acting pursuant
to its fundamental law to effect solely municipal objectives. (Housing Authority v. Superior Court,
supra, 35 Cal.2d 550, 558; Kleiber v. City & County of San Francisco, supra. 18 Cal.2d 718, 724-725.)
Each functioning body, the city and the housing authority, is a separate body politic vested with specific
duties and powers under the Housing Authorities Law and Housing Cooperation Law to effect a state
objective. Neither is functioning independently of that state law. In pursuing the state objective each is
governed by the state law and neither may exercise powers not vested or recognized by that law. The
city and the housing authority function as administrative arms of the state in pursuing the state
concern and effecting the legislative objective.”
In other words, the status of the Bremerton Housing Authority s a federally and state rooted purpose-
built governmental entity focused on implementing low-income housing means the relative postures of
each governmental body here under the HAL and HCL is one where Bremerton must help the BHA fulfil
its mission for the low-income. This is why Bremerton in fact signed a contract to do just that. This is a
state declared interest. Not one amenable to more of your favoritism towards "market rate" developers.
This situation was settled long ago by the contract and by existing settled law - this was not a situation
in which the incited residents of Harrison Heights and the astroturf campaign led by SWG's agent,
Denise Frey, could affect this settled law. In Housing Authority of Pasco v. City of Pasco, 86 P. 3d 1217,
120 Wash. App. 839 (2004), the Court held that "a housing authority is an independent entity and not a
department of the city. [citing Wilcox and Mercy] Housing authorities are not meant to be responsive to
the popular will or political pressure. Wilcox, 66 Wn.2d at 870."
FoSC has seen this erasure and misrepresentation of law before - Ecology is currently having to deal
with that. There is no doubt Wesley Larson can do whatever he wants in Bremerton with impunity; there
is only the question whether outside officials, and those who are attorneys, can stomach such betrayals
of the public trust. In Bremerton, this kind of malfeasance is kept a close secret. And they will even gag
cititzens for speaking of it in public fora.
But now we have emails catching the collusion and malfeasance as it happened. The recently obtained
emails showing council member Denise Frey being invited into Wesley Larson's "master plan" circle for
exploiting land use in Frey's District 2 also show that immediately upon that invitation, she turns 180
against the BHA, and approaches Larson's par tner (and planning commissioner) Jack Paauw to provide
her with calculations upon which to craft a tax revenue loss argument to undermine the BHA shelter in
the future. The tax revenue loss argument is laughable because SWG is addicted to the MFTE - and that
is optional. The BHA as a governmental body is simply given the tax exempt privilege to aid its mission
for production of low-income housing.
The emails also show Frey so determined to make Wesley Larson's dreams come true in District 2 that
she reaches out to the developer's fixer, DCD Director Andrea Spencer, and divulges a confidence BHA
Director Jill Stanton had stated was confidential during a January 2024 hearing: the location of the site
for the BHA project. Frey's slithering towards Jack Paauw, Marianne Weber and Andrea Spencer to
sabotoage the shelter project is collusion from a council member with a private interest - the powerful
wealthy and influential "Sound West Group" - a literal combination of private interests.
The emails showing Wesley Larson picking governmental puppets and the SWG/Denise Frey collusion
can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gF7T60Y2-6OxK3987w8CUr1FlXJoAv6I?usp=drive_link
The emails also demonstrate that while Jack Paauw was acting as a planing commissioner he and the
rest of Wesley Larson's SWG oligopoly were simultaneously working on the "Bremerton2044"
comprehensive plan and making their parallel "master plans" for Denise Frey's District 2. This violates
the law outlined in Buell v. Bremerton, and invalidates the "Bremerton2044" comp plan as the product of
intentional exploitative self-interested malfeasance.
In these machinations Wesley Larson, holding court, hand picks more government officials for their
influence (he calls them "influencers"). His highness selected these officials that we know of so far:
1. Denise Frey, council member
2. Jac Paauw, planning commissioner
3. Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, planning commissioner
4. Tim Barker, Parks Director
5. Charles Henderson, CDBG Project Review,
6. Jason Driver, Kitsap Regional Library Director
7. Ben Anderson, School District Board
8. Cary Bozeman, Por t of Bremer ton President
* Unnamed by Larson is a founder of his joint venturer, Rice Fergus Miller. The RFM founder, Mike
Miller, is a current a planning commissioner.
DCD planners, council member Denise Frey, and Jack Paauw have violated the public trust and
fundamental ethics. A criminal inquiry should at least star t with them, and with these criminal statutes:
RCW 42.23.070 Prohibited Acts.
“(1) No municipal officer may use his or her position to secure special privileges or exemptions for
himself, herself, or others…. (4) No municipal officer may disclose confidential information gained by
reason of the officer's position, nor may the officer otherwise use such information for his or her
personal gain or benefit.”
RCW 9A.80.010 Official Misconduct.
“(1) A public servant is guilty of official misconduct if, with intent to obtain a benefit or to deprive
another person of a lawful right or privilege: (a) He or she intentionally commits an unauthorized act
under color of law; or (b) He or she intentionally refrains from performing a duty imposed upon him
or her by law. ...”
* The attached native file "Findings" show that Andrea Spencer, Garrett Jackson, and Kelli Lambert each
handled / edited the falsified findings which misled Ecology to the effect that FoSC had not participated
in the currently pending Bremerton SMP proposal.
* Also note this evidence:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uwtdC79veIhQV-vqk2tECIJTtoyi99GQ/view
This is evidence of Anna Mockler being censored by city council in its attempt to deceive Ecology into
believing the public (FoSC) had not par ticipated in the current SMP proposal - WE HAD IN PERSON on
10-20-25. And commissioner Rick Tift, a SWG factotum, personally obstructed us as we did so, and
subsequentlyTift moved to the council as an elected council member. His knowledge as commissioner
became knowledge of the city council. No one at city government should have given Ecology the
impression FoSC had not vigorously objected to city government's flouting of the Shoreline Management
Act with an infirm SMP on behalf of Sound West Group.
This is an Anna Mockler interview after she has been censored by internal city council "one voice" policy.
No mention of FoSC long history decrying the partisan flouting the SMA and SMP.
https://youtu.be/6JYqtD5Iz_M Mocklers silence is not inadver tence - it is city policy to cover up for
DCD's malfeasance which occurred to benefit Sound West Group.
_______________________
Contract Clause Under Washington’s Constitution & U.S. Constitution
WA's Constitution, Ar ticle 1, Section 23, and the U.S. Constitution, Ar ticle 1, Section 10, prohibits city
council's impairment of the contract between the BHA and Bremerton for the purposes stated therein.
Par ticularly, without even addressing an HCL resolution, Bremerton's city government has been exposed
as again a servile subsidiary of self-entitled developers in the SWG cartel.
Any move by city government outside of the legal framing stated above is illegal as against the public
policies framed by actual law.
Do the resolution if you want to mitigate the morass of crime you are already stuck in.
Washington Prohibits Anti-Trust Combines
Given all of the above, the attorney general must begin a deadly serious inquiry into the mess Sound
West Group and servile suborned officials have created in city government.
Who can compete with SWG when city officials will make inconvenient law disappear for it?
Washington's Constitution prohibited monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade. Wash. Const.
Article XII, Section 22.
City officials are suborned by Sound West Group. SWG dominates government here, which will even gag
quite ordinary criticisms of government favoritism. With the sabotage of the BHA shelter - a producer of
low-income housing - and with the flouting of the Shoreline Management Act and Growth Management
Act by Bremerton city government on behalf of Wesley Larson's machine, it is quite evident that land use
in Bremerton is captured and/or allocated by Sound West Group.
Whether "market rate" or low-income - even a BHA transitional housing project - Larson and his
sychophant agents, such as council member Denise Frey, maintain a landscape which is a minefield for
anyone not kissing King Arthurs ring. Because FoSC exposed city rigging of Larson's project, and the
SMP - with "interrupted buffers" opening shoreline portals for SWG in which the Shoreline Management
Act is effectively suspended on a parcel by parcel basis.
Prior Comments
FoSC written comments are in the records, including the planning commission meetings / hearings re
the BHA project below
7-20-26
https://bremerton.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=cb4fd124-a875-4ba3-9c2b-2698b9e8f2f0
8-17-26
https://bremerton.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=f1bd78a1-152a-4165-a67f-7ccea648080c
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Subject: RE: FoSC Comment -BHA Shelter / Tiny Home / Pallet Housing / Trans - Supportive Housing (Jose Camacho)
To: Friendsof Smith Cove <friendsofsmithcove@gmail.com>
Cc: Jose Camacho <paralegal312@gmail.com>, Robin Weldin <rdmoley26@gmail.com>, nelsons@sao.wa.gov <nelsons@sao.wa.gov>,
scott.nelson@sao.wa.gov <scott.nelson@sao.wa.gov>, Garrett Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>, Evinger, Matthew (ECY)
<MEVI461@ecy.wa.gov>, City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Good morning, Mr. Camacho.
This is to acknowledge receipt of your email, which will be provided to the Councilmembers for their consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to provide your comments regarding BHA’s Proposed Shelter Project.
Christine
From: Friendsof Smith Cove <friendsofsmithcove@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2026 5:44 PM
To: nelsons@sao.wa.gov; scott.nelson@sao.wa.gov; Garrett Jackson <Garrett.Jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us>; Evinger, Matthew
(ECY) <MEVI461@ecy.wa.gov>; City Council <City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Cc: Jose Camacho <paralegal312@gmail.com>; Robin Weldin <rdmoley26@gmail.com>
Subject: FoSC Comment -BHA Shelter / Tiny Home / Pallet Housing / Trans - Supportive Housing
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender
and know the content is safe.
These are citations to the law city government has intentionally withheld from public discussion in the matter of the BHA shelter project at the
1231 Sheridan site.
The Housing Cooperation Law answers all the points raised by opponents. This law provides that a resolution by council can override any
concerns about planning, zoning, rezoning, and regulation. Simply create an exception by resolution.
The existence of the HCL makes spot zoning and other location-based complaints a dead argument.
So of course city attorneys and planners have conveniently forgotten this controlling law.
Friends of Smith Cove in Evergreen Park
Virus-free.www.avast.com
2 attachments
Finding_Conclusions_Draft.doc
57 KB
Findings (AgendaPacket-Study Session-February 25, 2026).pdf
458 KB
b2f4e499-4e2f-4242-b1a3-2e0b2fbb44b2.jpeg
729cf34a-59d4-4953-b1e1-4b6d66455c11.jpeg
Homeless Shelter -In Support
From:Samantha Adams <samantha.adams.law@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 08:46 AM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Homeless Shelter -In Support
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
As a resident downtown and in my personal capacity as a lawyer serving homeless
populations, I write in full support of the Bremerton Housing Authority and the plans for a
homeless shelter.
This funding opportunity is not going to come again during this administration and the City
has gone far too long without adequate support for people experiencing homelessness.The
legislature implemented GMA changes to support shelters and you should too.
This is your opportunity to finally address the needs of our community.Not just for the people
who will receive the services but to address the blight of homelessness in our downtown
area. This your opportunity to represent us all.
Given the recent reports of Kitsap Homes of Compassion going under,the severe lack of
affordable housing for extremely low-income populations,the rising number of seniors and
disabled people with nowhere to go,and other vulnerable populations -what you are likely to
see in this facility are not the most undesirable people,but those who are most vulnerable and
who can be housed with the right supports. The contracted entities that will serve this facility
and our community are better positioned than any other.Let the experts tell you what is
needed and let them do the good work that they have come to do for our community. There
will always be people in opposition of any plan because no one wants a shelter in their
neighborhood,but these services need to go somewhere.The proposed site is perfectly
situated near food and transportation.It is not too near any school and is and has been
underused.
Support the shelter.Don't let this opportunity be missed.It will likely be our community's last
opportunity for funding something like this given the current political climate.
Thank you,
Samantha "Sam"Adams (She/Her)
1111 Pleasant Avenue
Bremerton WA 98337
Personal Cell:360-908-8855
Proposal for Sheridan
From:rlewissj@ix.netcom.com
Sent:Tuesday,15 Sep 2026 09:42 PM
To:'City Council'<City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us>
Subject:Proposal for Sheridan
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Document1 -AutoRecovered.docx
I’m concerned about the safety impacts of placing a low barrier
encampment on the Sheridan 5 acre parcel.Bremertons own police data
shows that the existing low-barrier congregate shelter is NOT stabilizing
the street population,&it is increasing the CRIME.Crimes not only inside
the encampments,it spills into the surrounding neighborhoods,and both
local police &state wide data comfirms this.
FACT:Bremerton Police reported a 132%increase in drug-related
violations and a 32%increase in assaults,data from 2024.Chief Wolfe has
stated that drug dealing and many assaults are centered around the
existing Salavation Army shelter.Crime groups are present around high-
need,low barrier sites and include the neighborhoods.
Research from U of W shows the same pattern across the region.
Encampment locations correlate with higher crime rates.Encampments
and vehicle-residence clusters,consistently increase criminal activity in the
neighborhoods as well as in the encampments as well.
Sunday the Seattle Times ran an article this past Sunday,Crime is down in
Seattle,and has at the same time increased in the neighborhoods.
Bremerton can meet its humanitarian responsibilities without repeating a
model that has failed.
BHA needs to provide a better solution.
I urge you to agree with both the Planning Commission &Planning
Department &Vote No.
From:Barbara Hagedorn <dcwzb@comcast.net>
Sent:Wednesday,16 Sep 2026 04:46 PM
To:City.Council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
Subject:Housing
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please pass or do whatever’s necessary to get the housing built for the homeless.It’s shameful that
Bremerton has been dragging its feet on this!
Thank you,
Barbara Hagedorn
Sent from my iPhone
From:Claire Fox
To:City Council
Cc:Arienne Davison
Subject:Re-Zoning for Pallet Homes
Date:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 2:53:58 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council members:
My name is Claire Fox. I am a Vestry Officer at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
in Bremerton. We at St. Paul's have been a part of our community and
neighborhood for several generations. We are aware that our
neighborhood will be changing. We understand that Bremerton has a plan
for these changes and some may take a few years.
But right now - we must ask the Council to accept the request to extend the
time allowance for Pallet Homes in the neighborhood. We ask this because
our unhoused neighbors do not have a few years.
Immediately, the Council can help by re-zoning one acre of the five
acres of land on Sheridan, purchased by BHA, to allow Pallet
Homes for up to three years - the current limit is a mere six
months. The variety of prospectives on this change paint very different
pictures of the project and of our unhoused neighbors.
We ask that you reject the picture being painted that insists the Pallet
Homes will be inhabited by drug addicts and sex offenders. THIS IS
UNTRUE. In fact, residents will be vetted and need to qualify to be included
in the Pallet Homes.
We ask that you instead accept the picture that we see coming into being.
We see our unhoused neighbors taking shelter in HEATED homes where
they can LOCK THEIR DOORS. We see our unhoused neighbors being able
to seek employment - because they have a place to leave their belongings
and a place to shower and lead a more stable life. We see our unhoused
neighbors being able to regain their physical and perhaps mental health in a
community of understanding service providers. Instead of housed and
unhoused neighbors suffering higher crime rates, we see a likely decrease
in crime in line with the trend in other citites.
We all know how challenging the economy has been lately for those at the
bottom of the economic ladder. BUT - in fact - it will likely get worse before
it gets better! Federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP benefits
promise to force more of our neighbors out of the housing market and onto
the streets. We need to be getting ready quickly for these changes.
Please see that help for our unhoused neighbors is help for ALL in
our community and neighborhood.
Thank you, Claire Fox
From:Annika Turner
To:City Council
Subject:Shelter zoning - PRO
Date:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 1:34:18 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Bremerton City Council,
Please do all that you are able to do, including necessary zoning adjustments, to move BHA's
project forward for a shelter on Sheridan Road.
Please also support them in their efforts to turn that land into a space for permanently
affordable housing, because that is the only thing that will reduce the number of people
entering homelessness in our community.
In HB 2266, the state legislature made it clear that local jurisdictions should not stand in the
way of STEP housing development in certain zones that allow for residential or hotel
development.
The Sheridan road location is close to a grocery store, health care, and transit, which are good
surroundings for housing for any individuals and especially those who may have higher needs
for services.
Allowing this shelter, and supporting permanently affordable housing development on the site
in the future, will make our community better.
Thank you,
Annika Turner
From:Keenan Bennett
To:City Council
Subject:East Bremerton Resident Opposed to the Proposed Sheridan Road Tiny-Home Community
Date:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 2:31:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council Members:
I support finding real solutions for homelessness in Bremerton. I do not support placing the
proposed tiny-home community at 1231 Sheridan Road.
This location sits alongside school district property and the BHS baseball field, in an area
heavily used by children and families. East Bremerton has spent years investing in its schools,
youth programs, neighborhoods, and public spaces. I do not believe this location is consistent
with that progress, and I do not believe the potential impact on students, families, and the
surrounding community has been adequately addressed.
This is not opposition to helping people who need housing. It is opposition to placing this type
of temporary housing project in a location so closely connected to schools, youth athletics, and
established neighborhoods. There are better locations where these services can be provided
without creating an unnecessary conflict with spaces designed for children and families.
I strongly encourage the City and Bremerton Housing Authority to reconsider the Sheridan
Road site and identify a more appropriate location.
Respectfully,
Keenan Bennett
Proposed Temporary Encampment at 1231 Sheridan Road
From:M <likwitlmom@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,16 Sep 2026 05:44 PM
To:greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us;city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us
CC:likwitlmom@gmail.com
Subject:Proposed Temporary Encampment at 1231 Sheridan Road
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization.Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good evening,
The following is a listing of questions as a resident and homeowner regarding this Temporary
Encampment proposal at 1231 Sheridan Road:
Is there a mandated credit and criminal background check at the National level
conducted on all individuals age 18 years and older?
Will there be mandated drug tests conducted on all individuals age 18 years and older?
What requirements have been established on all individuals 18 years and older to
maintain occupancy status?
What requirements have been established on all individuals 18 years and older to show
their part of contributing back to our local community?
What security measures have been established to ensure the continuance of a safe
environment within our residential community is being adhered to (actions that do not
violate local law)?
Is there an official oversight committee established to perform regulated encampment
inspections to validate both occupancy and proper maintenance of living environment
conditions?
How many of these supposed homeless individuals have already lived in the personal
homes of those within the organization supporting this proposed encampment?
What taxes are being imposed on residential homeowners who do not support this
action?
Are these individuals recipients of subsidized assistance?
Thank you for your time and attention regarding my email,and look forward to a timely
response
Respectfully,
A very concerned residential homeowner,taxpayer,US voting citizen
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Study Session Date: September 9, 2026
Resolution No. 3418 giving 8th Street
between Warren Ave and Pacific Avenue an
honorary designation of Bishop Robertson
Way
COUNCIL MEETING Date: September 16, 2026
Department: City Council
Presenter: Pres. Jane Rebelowski
Phone: (360) 473-5280
SUMMARY: During the August 19, 2026, City Council Business meeting a motion was made for the
honorary designation of 8th Street between Warren Ave and Pacific Ave as Bishop Robertson Way.
No resolution or ordinance was adopted, nor are they required. However, afterward the City received
the attached correspondence from Dr. Lillian Robertson requesting a formal resolution be passed.
ATTACHMENTS: 1) Correspondence 2) Resolution No. 3418 Updated 9/16/26 1:25 PM
FISCAL IMPACTS (Include Budgeted Amount):
STUDY SESSION ACTION: ☐ Consent Agenda ☒ General Business ☐ Public Hearing
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move to adopt Resolution No. 3418 approving the honorary designation of 8th Street between Warren
Ave and Pacific Ave as Bishop Robertson Way.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024
5A
Page 1 of 1
Resolution Document Reference
Rev. 03/2024
RESOLUTION NO. 3418
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Bremerton,
Washington, giving 8th Street between Warren Avenue and Pacific Avenue an
honorable designation of Bishop Robertson Way.
WHEREAS, a Citizens group has requested that 8th Street between Warren Avenue and Pacific Avenue
be renamed to honor Bishop Lawrence Ray Robertson; and
WHEREAS, staff coordinated with CENCOM on the request and concluded that Bishop Robertson Way
was an approved name, formal letters were sent out to all owners and residents on 8th Street between Warren
Avenue and Pacific Avenue, and neighborhood outreach was conducted by the citizen’s group; and
WHEREAS, for nearly five decades, Bishop Lawrence Ray Robertson faithfully served as Senior Pastor
of Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Bremerton. Guided by faith and an unwavering commitment to public service,
he devoted his life to strengthening individuals, families, and neighborhoods while advancing education, youth
development, community health, economic opportunity, and civic engagement throughout Bremerton and Kitsap
County; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Robertson founded the New Life Community Development Agency to expand
educational opportunities, workforce development, economic growth, youth programming, and family support
services; founded the Bremerton Jaguars Track Club to mentor generations of young people through athletics,
leadership, and academic achievement; and established the Marvin Williams Recreation Center and C. Keith
Birkenfeld Empowerment Center, as an enduring center for education, recreation, health promotion, mentorship,
and community services for residents of all ages; and
WHEREAS, through visionary and collaborative leadership, Bishop Robertson united government,
education, business, healthcare, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and the faith community to secure
resources, build strategic partnerships, and improve the quality of life throughout Bremerton, Kitsap County, and
the Pacific Northwest; and
WHEREAS, his distinguished record of public service included leadership as Chairman of the Olympic
College Board of Trustees, Commissioner of the Bremerton Housing Authority, Chairman of the Pacific
Northwest District Council, and numerous other civic, educational, and nonprofit organizations, leaving a lasting
legacy of leadership, unity, and community transformation; and
WHEREAS, honorary designation of 8th Street as Bishop Robertson Way recognizes a lifetime devotion
to strengthening the Bremerton community, of distinguished leadership, public service, youth development,
community partnership, and civic achievement that continues to benefit the residents of Bremerton and greater
Kitsap County; NOW THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Honorary Designation. An honorary designation of the city street 8th Street from
Warren Avenue to Pacific Avenue is hereby established as Bishop Robertson Way.
SECTION 2. Severability. If any one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of this
Resolution are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portion of this Resolution and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately
upon its passage.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington this _____ day of
__________________, 20____.
Jane Rebelowski,
Council President
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
KYLIE J. FINNELL, City Attorney ANGELA HOOVER, City Clerk
R:\Legal\Legal\Forms\FORMS ON COBWEB\Resolution Rev. 03 2024.doc
Published for
September 16
Council Meeting
Item 6
Mayor’s Report
Published for
September 16
Council Meeting
Item 8
Councilmember Reports
Mayor’s Report –September 16, 2026MAYOR’S REPORT
September 16, 2026
Updates for City Reservoirs
•Constructed in 1977, Reservoir 18 is a 1-million-
gallon reservoir serving portions of East
Bremerton and the county.
•The existing interior and exterior coatings were
over 25 years old and due for replacement.
•A cathodic protection system was installed to
prevent interior corrosion.
•Reservoir 18 was refilled and placed back into
service on August 26.
•Repair was also performed on the roof of
Reservoir 17 and 19 to extend the service life of
existing coatings.
Ivy Green Cemetery Parking Improvements
The parking area at Ivy Green Cemetery recently received a much-needed refresh and expansion. Staff cleared and
improved the existing parking area, creating additional space to better accommodate visitors.
A big thank you to our Parks team for continuing to identify ways to improve our facilities and for putting in the work
to make these projects happen.
9/11 25th Anniversary Memorial Service
•Approximately 500 community members gathered at
Evergreen Rotary Park for the September 11th 25th
Anniversary Memorial Service.
•The event honored the victims, first responders, service
members, families, and countless others whose lives
were forever changed by September 11.
•Thank you to everyone who helped organize and
participate in this evening of reflection and unity.
4th Annual Fall for the Arts Gala & Auction
Fall for the Arts is an opportunity to meet local artists, enjoy
refreshments and entertainment, and bid on artwork generously
contributed by local artists.
Funds raised through previous events have provided art
scholarships, supported the Open-Air Gallery art panels, and
contributed to the publication of The District, Bremerton's new
magazine highlighting local artists and our Creative District.
Thank you goes to Olympic College, the West Sound Arts
Council, the Bremerton Arts Commission, the artists, sponsors,
volunteers, community partners, and everyone who helped make
the event a success. Their continued support helps us strengthen,
celebrate, and grow the arts right here in Bremerton.
Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound with Challenge Seattle
On September 14, Challenge Seattle launched the Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound, a collaboration of
elected officials, community leaders, employers, and economic development organizations working to strengthen
the region’s ability to retain employers, attract investment, and create jobs for now and generations to come.
Learn more at: www.challengeseattle.com/partnership-for-a-competitive-puget-sound
Fall Is on the Way
This week, hanging flower baskets were taken down and fountains were shut down for the season.
Thank you to our Parks staff and volunteers who work behind the scenes to make Bremerton
beautiful throughout he spring and summer!
Council District
Updates
September 16, 2026
City Council Regular Business Meeting
City Council District 7 (0 slides)
Includes:
•Kitsap Lake Park
•NAD Park
•Pendergast Regional Park
•A portion of Kitsap Way
•The area reaching south towards Gorst.
•Providing boundaries for the district are
the Kitsap County neighborhoods called
West Hills and Navy Yard City.
Rick Tift (2026-29)
rick.tift@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 6 (1 slide)
Includes:
•Kitsap Lake Park
•NAD Park
•Pendergast Regional Park
•A portion of Kitsap Way
•The area reaching south towards Gorst.
•Providing boundaries for the district are
the Kitsap County neighborhoods called
West Hills and Navy Yard City.
Anna Mockler (2024-27)
anna.mockler@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 5 (1 slide)
Includes the area next to:
•Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
•Charleston
•Forest Ridge Park with the district
bounded by 11th Street
Michael Goodnow (2026-29)
michael.goodnow@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 3 (0 slides)
Includes:
•Downtown area “Harborside”
•Manette (bounded by NE Stone Way and
Jacobsen Boulevard)
•Evergreen Rotary Park
•Kitsap 9/11 Memorial
Christy Cammarata (2026-29)
christy.cammarata@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 2 (0 slides)
Includes:
•Bataan Park and Eastpark Nature Area
(Madrona Trails)
•Areas along the Wheaton Way corridor
bounded at the north by Riddell Road
Denise Frey (2024-27)
2026 Council Vice President
denise.frey@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 1 (0 slides)
Includes the areas surrounding:
•Tracyton Beach
•Lions Park
•Blueberry Park
•Stephenson Canyon
•Pine Road
•Part of Wheaton Way bounded by Sylvan Way
Jennifer Chamberlin (2026-29)
jennifer.chamberlin@bremertonwa.gov
City Council District 4 (1 slide)
Includes the neighborhoods near:
•Downtown
•Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
•Olympic College
•Kiwanis Park
Jane Rebelowski (2024-27)
2026 Council President
jane.rebelowski@bremertonwa.gov
Upcoming Meetings
•Lodging Tax Advisory Committee 9/21-22/26
@ 1:00 PM (Applicant Interviews)
•Finance, Investment, and Parking Committee
9/22/26 @ 1:30 PM
•Study Session 9/23/26 @ 5:00 PM
•5th Wednesday Reminder –No Meeting on
9/30/26
•Regular Business Meeting 10/7/26 @ 5:30 PM