052-24 - Resolution - 2025 Legislative AgendaDocusign Envelope ID: 2794D930-D3A3-4167-92B2-7BD53FE718B5
RESOLUTION NO. 052-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING
THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
WHEREAS, since 2011, the City has hired Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Affairs
to provide benefit to the citizens by having expertise and guidance of a lobbying firm that would
assist the Mayor and staff in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the City to State legislators;
and
WHEREAS, each year, the firm continues to advocate for important legislative priorities
of the City; and
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2024, Josh Weis, with Gordon Thomas Honeywell -
Governmental Affairs, the City's Lobbyists, provided a presentation on the 2024 Legislative
Session and provided context for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, a draft list of the Council's 2025 Legislative priorities has been prepared and
is attached, labeled as Exhibit A, now, therefore;
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES
AS FOLLOWS:
THAT: The City of Port Orchard hereby adopts the 2025 Legislative Agenda, attached as
Exhibit A.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, SIGNED by the Mayor and attested
by the City Clerk in authentication of such passage this 24th day of September 2024.
ATTEST:
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Brandy Wallace, MMC, City Clerk
Signed by:
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Robert Putaansuu, Mayor
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_ORCHARD
CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
21.6 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(36o) 876-4407 9 Fax: (36o) 895-9029
ci1yha11Pcityo portorchard.us
www.cityofportorchard.us
2025 Legislative Priorities
Port Orchard Community Event Center
The Port Orchard Community Event Center will feature space for indoor events, the Kitsap Library,
opportunities for residential/mixed use development, and a flexible community plaza allowing for outdoor
concerts, events, and other community gatherings centered around a revitalized waterfront, in addition to
parking and pedestrian improvements. Design, planning, and property acquisition are well underway, though
the City will not be ready for construction in the 2025 fiscal year. We plan to request state funding for
construction in the future.
Bay Street Sea Level Rise — Climate Resilience Funding
The City has received federal funding for design and partial construction to raise Bay Street, utilities, and
adjacent businesses, which runs East-West along the City waterfront, to ensure public access in the event of
sea level rise. Should climate resilience funding be available for the 2025 session, the City will request
resources for construction of this project.
Municipal Water Supply - Foster Pilot Program
The City of Port Orchard was chosen by the state for a water resource mitigation pilot project to address
municipal water supply challenges after the Foster decision. The City has invested over $1 million in City funds
for this pilot project, which to -date has not resulted in Ecology -approved water supply. The Legislature must
adopt solutions providing municipalities a path to sustainable water permitting and usage, as required to
accommodate growth under the Growth Management Act.
Sedgwick Roundabouts at SR-16/SR-160 Intersections
As the Legislature considers additional project funding the City of Port Orchard will continue to request
funding for improvements at the intersection of Sedgwick Road (State Route 160) and State Route 16. These
state routes traverse the City and serve as both regional and local thoroughfares, and struggle to efficiently
handle current traffic levels. The City has funded temporary improvements to these intersections to provide
short-term relief; however, long-term improvements are needed. The City proposes two compact
roundabouts at the SR-16 and SR-160 interchanges. Prior to current inflation rates, the project was estimated
to cost $6 million.
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2023-2025 Legislative Priorities
City of Port Orchard
Page 2 of 2
Other Important Topics
Port Orchard will emphasize the importance of the following issues when they are brought up for discussion by
the Legislature.
Police Training Academy and BLEA
The City appreciates recent state investment towards addressing shortages of public safety personnel in local
jurisdictions, including investment in regional training academies and additional Basic Law Enforcement
Academy Classes. The Legislature funded a study on the feasibility of a regional academy on the Kitsap
Peninsula. The City asks the Legislature to continue funding these efforts, including establishing a Kitsap
regional academy.
GMA Reform
The Legislature must update the Growth Management Act so that cities can grow within urban areas.
Penalty on Vacant Buildings
Cities need more tools to discourage landowners from allowing buildings to sit vacant and in disrepair.
Oppose New Housing & Homelessness Mandates
The Legislature has aggressively enacted new city requirements aimed at increasing housing supply and
reducing homelessness. Port Orchard believes the Legislature should allow cities time to implement these new
requirements and assess their impact before passing any new mandates.
Transportation Revenue
Port Orchard not only requires additional state investment in projects to address unsafe conditions and
alleviate congestion, but also increased shared funding for city transportation needs. We will assess proposals
that generate new revenue for transportation to determine whether they will help Port Orchard with these
needs.
Infrastructure Funding
Cities require stable and growing infrastructure funding in order to meet the demands of the Legislature and
our residents for: affordable housing, reliable utility services, public health and recreation, access to city
services. The Legislature must protect and increase existing infrastructure programs relied upon by local
governments.
The City of Port Orchard supports the Association of Washington Cities' legislative agenda.