POULSBO — Downtown Poulsbo business owners urged the City Council on Oct. 21 to suspend the city’s paid parking program, reporting declining revenue, fewer regular customers and concerns about their ability to remain in business.
During an extended public comment period, merchants described changes in customer behavior since paid parking began about two months earlier. Several reported revenue declines of approximately 30%, although those figures were based on individual business accounts rather than a citywide economic assessment.
Dan Sluys, whose family has operated Sluys Poulsbo Bakery since 1966, said the business has experienced a 30% decline in revenue.
The bakery employs 37 people, he said, raising concerns about the potential consequences for employees if business does not improve.
James Conlin, owner of the Brass Kraken Pub and Aegir’s Public House, also reported a 30% revenue decline. He said his newer establishment has already reduced lunch operations, opening at 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
Conlin described the effect on a community gathering spot at the Brass Kraken known as Table 206.
“I can tell you Table 206 sits empty most days now, other than on Tuesdays when there’s free parking,” Conlin told the council.
He said the businesses depend on local customers throughout the year, not only visitors.
“We survive based on the residents here in Poulsbo and the Greater Kitsap County community,” Conlin said.
Conlin asked the council to end paid parking immediately.
“And quite frankly, I’d like to see my table 206 busy seven days a week again,” he said.
Matt Hoffman, representing the Sons of Norway Lodge, reported an approximately 30% decline in business and announced a community meeting scheduled for Nov. 5 to discuss the parking issue.
Other merchants described similar experiences.
J and Brooke Huffman, co-owners of The Sip, said customers have struggled with the parking payment system and that some regular visitors have stopped coming downtown.
J Huffman described three occasions when prospective customers asked for assistance with parking but did not return to the business.
“They said… They all said something to the effect of, ‘Hey, if we don’t come back in, you’ll know why,’” he told the council.
He also reported declining participation in The Sip’s monthly line dancing events. Attendance at the three most recent events was 16, 25 and seven participants, compared with previous events that drew as many as 46.
“Again, small timeframe, but I’ve moved from the optimistic, ‘Okay, it is what it is. People will figure it out,’ to decidedly more in the concerned camp,” Huffman said.
Brooke Huffman said the parking program was affecting the experience of visiting downtown, beyond the amount customers must pay.
“I think an important distinction is that this isn’t necessarily about the cost of parking. It’s about changing the experience of coming downtown,” she said.
She urged the council to restore the previous three-hour parking system while continuing enforcement.
Nico Jensen of Longship Marine said the financial pressure had become serious enough that the business was considering whether it could afford to continue operating.
“Today, I feel like closing our business,” Jensen told the council.
“I’m looking at the money we still have in the bank and wondering whether we should close while we can still exit with some dignity and financial stability rather than struggle through the winter, drain what little cushion we have left to cover operating costs and payroll, and then exit without options,” Jensen said.
Residents also raised concerns about the payment technology, parking citations and accessibility for older visitors.
David Parker described receiving a $60 parking citation after a three-minute lapse between paid parking sessions while visiting downtown with out-of-state guests.
“So what I’m looking for in addition to changes to parking is a little bit of a grace period,” Parker said.
Parker said he had paid for parking twice through the app and returned to his vehicle before the second session expired.
Several speakers called for an immediate suspension of paid parking and a return to time-limit enforcement.
Councilmember Pam Crowe, who supported the program’s implementation, acknowledged the concerns and prepared proposals for changing the city’s approach.
Councilmember Doug Newell, who opposed implementing paid parking, questioned the program’s financial benefits and said the city needed to respond to the concerns raised by businesses.
Councilmember Leighton Thomas expressed support for suspending the program.
“I unequivocally do not support our program as is, and I will be supporting a suspension of the program until we can solve this problem in a way that supports our community and does not harm it,” Thomas said.
Councilmember Michael Fitzpatrick said he was willing to reconsider paid parking but emphasized that the city still needed a funding source for enforcement and future parking improvements.
“I couldn’t care less about paid parking. If you want it gone, fine. But I care about other things in the city, and if we don’t have a funding source for parking garages and parking enforcement, then those things will go, too,” Fitzpatrick said.
He said his support for the program had been tied to improving downtown parking access and financing future improvements, including a possible shuttle system.
Councilmember Doug Taber defended the principle of charging users for desirable downtown parking spaces rather than placing enforcement costs on city taxpayers, while indicating openness to changes.
“I believe it’s fair for people who use the most desirable parking spaces to contribute towards the cost of maintaining those rather than automatically shifting that expense to every Poulsbo taxpayer,” Taber said.
Mayor Edward Stern also indicated that he was preparing a proposal addressing the financial implications of ending the program.
“On November 4th, I intend to issue a mayoral directive to the city council. I intend to justify and explain the costs and how to cover them of ending the paid parking program,” Stern said.
The council did not vote to suspend paid parking during the meeting.
Near the end of the meeting, Crowe asked fellow council members to review her proposed changes, including suspending paid parking while maintaining enforcement.
“I’d like for us to take action regarding parking,” Crowe said, asking that the matter return for discussion Nov. 4.
The council requested that parking be placed on the Nov. 4 business agenda for discussion and potential action.
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