01/09/2017 - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Economic Development and Tourism Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2017
Committee Members Present: Council Members Bek Ashby (Chair), Fred Chang
City Officials and Staff: Mayor Rob Putaansuu, City Clerk Brandy Rinearson, Associate Planner Keri Sallee.
Guests: Dave Jeffcoat, Matt Murphy, Bobbie Stewart, Kathleen Wilson, Christine Stansbery, Sharon King.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ashby at 9:05 a.m.
1. Educational Discussion. Chair Ashby coordinated a discussion on educational opportunities for
downtown business owners. Ashby noted that the Port Orchard Bay Street Association (POBSA) will have an
educational discussion for its members on January 19. Matt Murphy and Kathleen Wilson provided
information on the topics that will be discussed at that meeting, including store hours and parking. Ashby
said that the City of Bremerton has indicated that to support extended summer foot ferry hours in 2017,
downtown Port Orchard merchants should strongly consider being open from 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday,
which the City of Bremerton is also encouraging its own downtown merchants to do. The committee and
guests discussed options to create greater public awareness of where downtown public parking is located,
and to encourage merchants to not use onstreet public parking for themselves and employees. City Clerk
Rinearson will provide parking brochure information at the next committee meeting.
Ashby said that Roger Brooks International, which works with communities and non‐profits on tourism and
local branding, produces monthly educational webinars which will be available free of charge this year. The
first one for 2017 is “Finding Your Community’s Unique Selling Proposition.” It will be shown on January 18
at 8:30 am, and the committee will make it available for business owners and the general public in Council
Chambers at that time. Subsequent webinars will also be shown as they become available.
2. Tourism Strategic Plan. Ashby said that the committee will prepare a tourism strategic plan this spring
in cooperation with POBSA, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
The goal is to provide a finished work product to City Council by May or June. The committee discussed a
draft outline for the plan, including mission, value statement, definitions and strategic goals. The role of the
LTAC and legal requirements for use of lodging tax revenues were also reviewed. Mayor Putaansuu noted
that he recently discussed the state’s Main Street program for downtown revitalization and preservation
with the City’s lobbyist. At this time, it is not proposed that the City should join the Main Street program, as
the program requires that the City dedicate a full‐time employee to administer it. However, the Chamber of
Commerce is starting a nonprofit program that will mimic some of Main Street’s operations. Rinearson will
prepare an updated draft outline based on the meeting discussion, and will also provide additional
background information for the next meeting. Draft goals and strategies will be discussed at the committee’s
February meeting.
3. Discussion: Downtown Land Uses. (This item was deleted from the agenda.)
In an additional discussion, Ashby said that the West Sound Alliance (WSA), which is a partnership of 19
jurisdictions and economic development organizations in Mason, Pierce and Kitsap counties, is working with
its members on a proposal to the 2017 Legislature to ensure that transportation funding for these
communities continues to be provided. The WSA is requesting funding to update its video and print material
used in its lobbying efforts. Port Orchard’s share should not exceed $200. The committee recommended
supporting the request before the full City Council.
Ashby adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m. Audio/visual recording was successful.
Next Meeting/Location: The next scheduled committee meeting is February 13, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers.