BREMERTON — Bremerton officials took the next step toward peace with the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC).

On April 10, Mayor Patty Lent and City Council President Greg Wheeler sent KRCC Board Chair Robert Gelder some proposed amendments to the KRCC interlocal agreement.

The two parties have been feuding since March 4 when the city rejected the KRCC’s proposed interlocal agreement. The city feels the voting structure of the KRCC lends too much power to county commissioners.

In a letter to Gelder, Bremerton requested the KRCC switch to non-weighted voting by:

• Making the “majority vote” a simple majority.

• Defining a “quorum” to be both a majority of representatives from member agencies and that a majority of member agencies be represented by at least one delegate.

The changes would reduce the voting power of the three county commissioners. Bremerton City Council members have repeatedly expressed dislike for the current format, which requires two commissioners be present for a vote.

The KRCC exists to help Kitsap cities and agencies communicate with each other and to develop plans for the county and allocates funds for transportation.

The city wants the KRCC to change its voting structure and to present financial options for a administrative staff. It has even considered leaving the KRCC if its demands aren’t met.

The downside of leaving is that the city would be at a disadvantage when vying for state and federal funds. Much of the funding for city and county projects comes from the Puget Sound Regional Council, which includes Seattle, Tacoma and even the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The KRCC competes against these giants for funds. If Bremerton left it would compete against the same giants, plus the KRCC.

City representatives aired their thoughts to the KRCC at its monthly meeting April 7. The following day, the city council met for a study session.

Councilman Dino Davis said he was worried that some controversial statements made by  Councilman Roy Runyon to the KRCC board April 7 may have undone any progress made between Bremerton and the KRCC during the meeting.

“We don’t need to insult people and storm off and act like children to get our point across,” Davis said. “There was a great, fluid discussion happening until it was interrupted yesterday and the behavior was rude and unnecessary. I was ashamed, personally.”

During a statement to the KRCC, Runyon refused to step down and suggested County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido prevented Bremerton from acquiring a Department of Corrections facility in 2011 that would employ 500.

The corrections facility motion failed because two commissioners, Garrido and Gelder, abstained from voting.

“What’s happened has happened. It’s water under the bridge. We are supposed to be looking forward and making sure this doesn’t happen again,” Davis said. “We don’t need to insult people and storm off and act like children to get our point across.”

Councilman Mike Sullivan suggested the best course of action may lie between Davis and Runyon.

“Nobody’s gonna understand why we want the vote changed unless we can give examples of what can happen, which is gonna require a modicum of history,” Sullivan said. “But we can’t deliver it from clouds on high and talk down to them ‘cause all you’ll do is tick people off.”

Bremerton also sent Gelder an amended ILA. Below are definition changes that would aid a switch to a non-weighted vote.

Term: Majority vote

Old definition: More than half the votes are cast when a quorum is present and must include a majority of votes from county commissioners and at least two cities.

• At a minimum, must include a quorum of the Executive Board;

• Votes from two or more county commissioners; and a majority of votes from the representatives of at least two cities.

New definition: More than one-half (simple majority) of the votes cast by the Executive Board when a quorum of the Executive Board is present and voting.

Impact of change: Would allow more votes to take place and reduces impact of county commissioners. Bremerton representatives have expressed concern over the amount of power given to commissioners, namely the fact that a vote can’t take place if two are absent.

Term: Two-thirds majority vote

Old definition: Means a majority vote and also requires a majority of votes from county commissioners and at least two cities. And must include:

• At a minimum, a quorum of the Executive Board;

• Votes from two or more county commissioners;

• A majority of votes from at least two cities.

New definition: Requires two-thirds or more of the votes cast by the Executive Board when a quorum of the Executive Board is present and voting.

Impact of change: Would simplify the voting process. No longer a required number of votes from county commissioners and cities, so long as there’s a quorum.

Term: Quorum

Old definition: none

New definition: Would require a majority of representatives and agencies to hold a meeting.

Impact of change: KRCC is comprised of 12 representatives and six agencies. A quorum would only require seven representatives and four agencies to do business.

The KRCC exists to help Kitsap cities and agencies communicate with each other and to develop plans for the county and allocates funds for transportation.

The KRCC meets again May 5 at the Norm Dicks Building in Bremerton.