Councilmember Jeff Coughlin

07/01/2026

As my City Council term ends — and we welcome two new members to their first City Council meeting tonight, including new District 3 Councilmember Christy Cammarata — I just want to say thank you. Serving as your Councilmember has been one of the great honors of my life. I’m grateful to everyone who showed up, emailed, testified, volunteered, challenged me, and worked alongside me to make Bremerton better — in my district and across our city.

As I step away, I also feel a responsibility to be candid. In my end-of-November Council report, I described what I’ve experienced over four years — including a pattern of behavior by Mayor Wheeler that, in my view, has contributed to an unhealthy and dysfunctional environment in our local government — and what I hope changes going forward to make things better. I’m sharing it because sunlight matters, and because Bremerton does better when residents stay engaged. Please keep speaking up.

🎥 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/a2IiWJi1q6I

And I also want to celebrate just some of what we were able to accomplish together over the last four years:

TRANSPORTATION, SAFETY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• Secured a modern, safer design (and funding progress) for the Warren Bridge expansion
• Advanced long-ignored work on 6th Street safety — multimodal improvements, bike/ped safety, and business revitalization
• Pushed for an updated Traffic Calming & Safety Plan to guide safer streets and near-term improvements citywide
• Supported key resurfacing and street improvements (including 6th, Washington, and 11th Street and other priority corridors)
• Advanced safer crossings (including flashing beacons) and Safe Routes to School improvements (View Ridge and other locations)
• Supported better bike and walking connections, including projects on key corridors like Naval Avenue
• Advanced major corridor planning work, including the West Kitsap Way corridor
• Pushed for clearer, more transparent public works prioritization so funding decisions were understandable and accountable

PARKS, PUBLIC SPACES, AND PLACEMAKING
• Advanced the Quincy Square project to help create a downtown gathering space
• Delivered improvements and repairs at Evergreen Park (including pathways and the boat ramp) and supported the resurfaced Evergreen Park playground
• Got the Manette water fountain installed and advanced other neighborhood-scale public space improvements
• Advanced renovation work at Warren Avenue Playfield
• Supported upgrades/new playgrounds at parks like Haddon and Kiwanis
• Advanced a stronger multi-year parks plan focused on community needs, maintenance, and amenities

ENVIRONMENT, WATER, AND STEWARDSHIP
• Supported Kitsap Lake cleanup efforts and other environmental stewardship projects — including culvert work and fish-barrier removal
• Continued investment in modernizing stormwater and wastewater systems and protecting our water supply
• Advanced a dark sky approach to outdoor lighting
• Passed a stronger fireworks law to reduce harmful explosive/aerial fireworks impacts on people, pets, and the environment

HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY
• Supported community partners addressing homelessness — including funding for a new shelter with wraparound services
• Improved tools and zoning pathways to allow shelter and services where they’re needed
• Pushed landlord-license compliance and habitability enforcement — holding bad actors accountable without punishing good landlords
• Advanced zoning reforms to allow more missing middle housing (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, cottage housing, and more)
• Supported affordable housing incentives while pushing back on “blank check” giveaways
• Supported practical tools to address unregulated encampments while keeping pressure on real solutions

PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
• Helped get a public safety levy to voters
• Supported first responders with needed funding and critical resources
• Advanced stronger laws and tools around stalking/cyberstalking
• Advanced tools to address motor vehicle theft and vandalism
• Enacted a noise ordinance that protects peace and quiet while still allowing for live music
• Stood up against antisemitism and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to reject hate and discrimination in all forms
• Supported Pride and LGBTQ+ neighbors being respected and protected in our community
• Supported community efforts that helped pass the school bond for much-needed facilities

ECONOMIC VITALITY AND CULTURE
• Supported a higher B&O tax exemption to help small local businesses
• Supported neighborhood-scale business zoning that encourages walkable, community-friendly local services
• Supported “streateries” and other practical quality-of-life improvements
• Increased dedicated funding support for the Arts Commission

GOOD GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
• Updated council rules so Councilmembers could more effectively craft legislation
• Supported clear policies for Councilmember communication (including social media) consistent with public records law
• Pushed for competitive, national hiring practices for key leadership roles
• Supported the creation/funding of a Diversity & Community Engagement leadership position
• Served multiple years on the CDBG committee, allocating funding for housing, homelessness response, and small business development
• Passed major planning framework updates to help Bremerton grow responsibly
• Preserved local history and set up future success through key planning work (including the Harrison Heights area updates)
• Pushed for more accessible public engagement — clearer notice, better visibility, and easier ways to comment
• Met with countless residents, organizations, and community leaders all working for positive change in our community.

None of this happened alone — and I’m thankful for colleagues, staff, residents, volunteers, and community partners who did the work with me and kept pushing.

Thanks again,
Jeff

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27/10/2025

Many Bremerton families — especially our Shipyard workers — are going without pay during the federal shutdown. Some are drawing on savings to get by, while others, as reported by the Kitsap Sun, are turning to places like Bremerton Foodline, which has stepped up with extended hours to meet the growing need. Kudos to them and all who are helping our neighbors through this difficult time.

I’m calling upon the Mayor and City Administration to adopt a temporary utility hardship policy for furloughed federal workers — allowing impacted households to defer utility payments until the shutdown ends, or at minimum waive late fees and interest and offer payment plans until paychecks resume. Port Angeles is already leading by example with this approach.

I’m also urging the City to work with our solid-waste provider to create clear deferment options for affected households, and to share public guidance on how residents can access help from PSE, Cascade Natural Gas, and Kitsap Transit — all of whom have stepped up with payment relief and free-ride programs — as well as other state hardship resources.

No one should have to choose between paying the water bill and buying groceries.

02/10/2025

Since joining the Council, I’ve consistently championed open and upfront public recognition — giving residents the chance to speak directly to the Mayor and Council about any city issue.

Recently, Council President announced a temporary pause to public recognition. You can watch his explanation here: https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/bremerton.castus-vod/vod/video/5f1a4912-5f3d-4422-ad27-fbec59fc973d/video.original.mp4 =50

While I understand the reasoning behind this pause, I do not support it, and I’m urging that we restore public recognition as soon as possible.

I deplore the growing personal attacks, misinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy-driven rhetoric from a small handful of individuals — especially when directed at city employees or members of marginalized or targeted communities.

Still, I believe the vast majority of residents who follow decorum and raise city issues in good faith deserve the opportunity to directly address their elected officials.

29/09/2025

Hey Bremerton! Big changes are coming to 6th Street — and we want your input! 🚴🏾‍♀️

The City of Bremerton is planning safety improvements and new bike lanes along the 6th Street Corridor. Come see the draft street plans, ask questions, and tell us what you think!

📅Tuesday, September 30, 2025
⏰5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍Norm Dicks Government Center – 1st Floor, 345 6th Street, Bremerton

This is your chance to help shape the future of 6th Street. Stop by, share your thoughts, and be part of the change!
👉 More info: https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1342/6th-Street-Active-Transportation-Improve

19/09/2025

Some of the public comments at last night’s Council meeting — part of a troubling and growing trend — were alarming. From outright insults to denigrating language and willful disregard for both facts and the rules our local government follows, these tactics only divide our community and distract from real solutions.

Council has spoken with one voice this year in affirming our commitment to equity and inclusion, including support for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. I stand by that commitment and will continue to advocate for all residents of Bremerton.

Unfortunately, the Mayor’s retreat from supporting diversity and inclusion, and his refusal to address urgent challenges in his reports to Council — from rising homelessness and broken permitting to a looming budget shortfall — has opened a leadership void too easily filled by voices of division.

I remain committed, alongside my colleagues, to building a Bremerton where respect, inclusion, and community prevail over extremism.

12/09/2025

A moving flag-raising ceremony today at the Kitsap 9/11 Memorial in Bremerton. 🇺🇸. Thank you to the Firefighter Color Guard and all who work to ensure we never forget the lives lost and the heroes who served.

05/08/2025

Posting for awareness of folks in . The Navy is holding a public meeting Thurs. Aug. 7, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm at the Marvin Williams Recreation Center to provide information and solicit feedback on the construction of a new multi-mission dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF). The Proposed Action includes the demolition, replacement, and/or construction of other piers, wharves, moorings, cranes, buildings, and support facilities to accommodate the new multi-mission dry dock.

Attend the meeting and/or go to https://bremertonwaterfrontimprovementseis.com to get information on the potential impacts of the project, the possible alternatives, and give your feedback.

14/07/2025

Huge thanks to city staff, community partners, and everyone who helped bring Quincy Square to life. After years of planning and collaboration, it’s great to see this exciting new public space officially open. A great kickoff to what’s ahead!

12/07/2025

🎉 Quincy Square is finally open!

This project has been a long time coming — originally expected to open in 2020 — and I’m proud to have supported it throughout my time on Council. Whenever it came before us over the years, I voted to approve contracts and help keep it moving. Thanks to city staff and our community partners for the long, hard work!

It’s exciting to see this new pedestrian plaza come to life. Come celebrate today from 11am to 8pm with live music, local vendors, and a great community vibe in downtown Bremerton.

28/06/2025

Thank you to Pasco Police for the tour of their new regional training facility. It was great to see modern de-escalation techniques in action — and a local center helping address Washington’s statewide officer shortage. We need to work toward a facility on the peninsula to help solve ’s own critical shortage of officers.