City of Poulsbo - City Hall

10/15/2026

October is National Community Planning Month, and we’re continuing to celebrate the people who shape our city with our "Faces of Planning" series.

Name: Mark Kipps
Role: Planning Commissioner, Chair
Favorite place in Poulsbo: I really love the historic downtown and the waterfront all along Liberty Bay.

Why I chose to serve on the Planning Commission:
After retirement I felt an obligation to serve and give back. I also believe very strongly that the best place for a person to make a difference is at the local level. When the opportunity presented itself I applied and am very grateful that I was chosen by the city council to serve.

What I find most interesting about planning: There are many things to think about in city planning such as adequate affordable housing, future infrastructure needs, the natural environment and transportation requirements. What I find most interesting is working to balance these concerns with people who have diverse expertise and perspectives in order to achieve the best possible result.

One thing I wish more people knew about the Planning Commission: Perhaps the fact that the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires us to plan for a certain amount of growth. A thorough process is in place to create our city’s Comprehensive Plan and municipal code to achieve these targets. Citizens have an opportunity to provide input as these documents are developed. I wish more people understood that our Comprehensive Plan and our Poulsbo Municipal Code direct how development happens. If citizens wish to influence how our city grows, the best time is when these documents are being developed or amended.

My vision for Poulsbo's future: I want to see Poulsbo experience controlled growth while retaining the character, natural beauty and community spirit that makes it a special place to live and work. When you have the type of city we are blessed with, some of our visitors will want to become a part of it. These new residents can bring new dynamism, ideas and positive energy to Poulsbo.

10/13/2026

Mayor Ed Stern proclaims October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of raising awareness, supporting survivors, and promoting efforts to prevent domestic violence.

We encourage our community to stand together to break the silence, support those impacted by domestic violence, and work toward a future where everyone can live free from abuse and fear.

Read the full proclamation here:https://poulsbo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-27-Domestic-Violence-Awareness-Month.pdf

10/10/2026

The City of Poulsbo is hiring for the following positions:

NEW! Contract Administration Manager
Recreation Aide
Referee

Apply today at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofpoulsbo

10/09/2026

Join Us for Two Community Events Exploring the Power of Connection!

What makes a strong, connected community? Join the City of Poulsbo and Kitsap Regional Library for two events exploring how civic engagement, shared interests, and community connections bring people together!

🎬 Join or Die Documentary Screening
📅 Saturday, October 17 | 2–4 p.m. (networking until 5 p.m.)
📍 Vibe CoWorks, 19225 8th Ave. NE, Suite 201, Poulsbo, WA
https://poulsbo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Join-or-Die.pdf

Watch this thought-provoking documentary about why joining clubs and community groups matters, followed by an opportunity to connect with others and continue the conversation. Complimentary copies of Bowling Alone and related books will be available while supplies last.

📖 Poulsbo Community Reads: Bowling Alone Discussion
📅 Saturday, November 7 | 2–4 p.m.
📍 Poulsbo City Hall, 200 Moe St. NE
https://poulsbo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Poulsbo-Community-Reads-Bowling-Alone.pdf

Continue the conversation with a community discussion of Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, exploring civic engagement, curiosity, and the importance of building stronger community connections. Copies of the book and related titles are available for pickup on the third floor of City Hall.

Come connect with your neighbors, share ideas, and discover ways to strengthen our community!

Kitsap Regional Library
Vibe Coworks

10/09/2026

October is National Community Planning Month, and we’re continuing to celebrate the people who shape our city with our "Faces of Planning" series.

Name: Nikole Coleman, AICP

Role: Planning Manager

Favorite Poulsbo place: Waterfront Park on a fall day, sitting with a hot coffee and looking out over Liberty Bay. I love that calm-before-the-(wind)-storm feeling when the water is still, the air is crisp, and you know the fall weather is about to roll in.

Most interesting thing about planning: That it is never really finished. Communities are constantly changing, and planning is about figuring out how to accommodate that change while still protecting the things that make a place special. There is always a new issue to solve, a new law to implement, or a new way to look at an old problem.

One thing people don’t know about planning: How much of planning is problem-solving. The answer is rarely as simple as looking up one section of code. Planners spend a lot of time connecting the dots between regulations, property constraints, infrastructure, environmental protection, housing needs, community goals, and state requirements, and trying to find a path forward that works.

If I weren't a CITY planner, I'd be: An EVENT planner. Apparently, I just really like organizing people, schedules, and controlled chaos.

10/09/2026

FALL WATER MAIN FLUSHING

The City of Poulsbo will be conducting fall water main flushing October 9–11, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. each night.

During flushing, residents may notice temporary water discoloration or pressure changes. If your water appears discolored, run your cold water tap until it clears before using it for laundry.

Thank you for your patience as we maintain and care for our community’s water system!

10/07/2026

The City of Poulsbo is accepting applications from citizens interested in volunteering for an opening on its Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Tree Board. Duties, meeting days and times, and an application are available by calling City Hall at (360) 779-3901, or by accessing https://poulsbo.gov/boards-commissions/.

If interested in serving the City, please submit an application to the Poulsbo City Clerk [email protected].

10/06/2026

October is National Community Planning Month, and we’re celebrating the people who shape our city. Throughout the month, we’ll be introducing the Faces of Planning – the planners and commissioners who work to help Poulsbo grow thoughtfully and plan for its future.

Name: Jim Schlachter

Role: Planning Commissioner, Vice Chair

Favorite place in Poulsbo: Oyster Plant Park and Poulsbo’s three quality breweries.

Why I chose to serve on the Planning Commission: I had previously worked with City of Poulsbo Planning & Engineering staff on a supportive housing project (Morrow Manor) and on a variety of matters. I wanted to play a more significant role in helping our city further thrive thru informed decisions to achieve "smart" growth.

What I find most interesting about planning: The Planning and Economic Development Dept is staffed with excellent people who work well together in an effective, collegial manner.

One thing I wish more people knew about the Planning Commission: We are a good group of volunteers with solid backgrounds in engineering and construction, who hold Poulsbo’s best interests high.

My vision for Poulsbo's future: My vision is to have Poulsbo’s land mass expand to accommodate the people who want to move here and live in our city. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Poulsbo to grow (as the State and County requests) in our limited 4.74 square miles of land, a large portion of which is unbuildable.

10/05/2026

PREPARE IN A YEAR – STEP 10: DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON

When an earthquake strikes, you only have seconds to react. Knowing what to do before the shaking starts can help protect you from injury.

This month’s Prepare in a Year step is simple: practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

• DROP to your hands and knees. This helps keep you from being knocked down and allows you to move if necessary.
• COVER your head and neck. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for protection. If no shelter is available, get down near an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.
• HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops. If the table or desk moves, move with it.

Don’t wait for an earthquake to figure out what you’re going to do. Take a few minutes at home and at work to identify safe places and practice your response.
Earthquakes don’t give us a warning. Practice will prepare us to respond quickly!

Video: Drop, Cover, and Hold On - Protect Yourself During an Earthquake

Drop, cover, and hold on is the most appropriate way to protect you...