01/14/2019 - Minutes
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City of Port Orchard
Economic Development and Tourism Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 14, 2019
Committee Members Present: Council Members Bek Ashby (Chair), Scott Diener, Jay Rosapepe
City Officials and Staff: Mayor Rob Putaansuu, City Clerk Brandy Rinearson, Long Range Planner Keri Sallee
Guests: Jack Edwards, Matt Murphy, Kathleen Wilson
Chair Ashby called the meeting to order at 9:36 am.
1. Business Community Discussion. City Clerk Rinearson said that she has received a request from J. Louie King, a
downtown business owner, for the City to consider changing 2-hour downtown parking spaces on Bay Street to 4-
hour stalls. King said that his customers report that because of the 2-hour limit, they feel rushed and don’t have
time to shop downtown. Rinearson said that the 2-hour parking limit was initiated at the request of the
downtown merchants, who wanted more rapid turnover of parking spaces. Ashby said that if any changes are to
be formally considered, the proposal should go through the Port Orchard Bay Street Association with the
consensus of their membership. Additionally, Ashby noted that after 4:30 pm and on weekends, parking on Bay
Street and along the waterfront is free and time restrictions are not enforced. Rinearson will ask the Public Works
department to determine whether improvements in parking signage could be helpful.
Rinearson said that she is continuing to work with Community Development staff and the City Attorney on revised
code language for temporary vendor permits, to ensure that it is consistent with state law and other sections of
City code, and will have an update at the next committee meeting. The full Council will also be asked for guidance
on whether 2019 applications should be taken for the downtown banner site, which is currently located on the
fence at 640 Bay Street but may not be available after the property sale closes.
2. Discussion: Single-Use Plastic Bags. Since the state legislature is currently considering statewide regulations
for reduction of single-use plastic bags, the committee postponed moving forward with draft City plastic bag
regulations until the legislative outcome is known. The City does not want to adopt regulations that are
significantly different from or in conflict with a statewide law. Ashby said that Kitsap County is still proceeding
with its own ordinance, under the assumption that a statewide law will not be passed in this session. The City
should take advantage of County public outreach efforts to bring awareness of the issue to Port Orchard citizens.
If a state law isn’t adopted by the legislature this year, the City should then continue the process for adoption of
its own ordinance, which should be consistent with the County’s ordinance. The City’s lobbyist is following the
progress of the state legislation, and when a bill is available for review, it will be brought to the committee for
discussion.
3. Discussion: EVI Video Production. EVI has asked for guidance on specific events and/or people that should be
included in the Port Orchard promotional video being developed for the City. Rinearson said that she will serve as
the primary point of contact for EVI, and committee members should forward questions and suggestions to her
and/or the Mayor, to be passed on to EVI. She will update the committee each month on EVI’s progress.
Ashby provided the committee with attendance information on the “Yukon Do It” marathon held on December
30, 2018. The marathon had 432 participants; only 63 had a Port Orchard address, and there were many
participants from the Seattle-Tacoma area.
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Chair Ashby adjourned the meeting at 10:31 am.
Next Meeting: February 11, 2019, at 9:30 am in the Council Chambers.