POULSBO — Instead of scrambling to find ways to hear from citizens when issues arise, Mayor Kathryn Quade hopes to make pubic participation a standing city policy.

That effort will begin tonight at 6 p.m. when Quade and Wendy Johnson from Northwest Collaborations lead a council workshop on “Project Poulsbo, Our City, Our Future” in the council chambers.

Quade said public participation was one of her platforms during her mayoral campaign and tonight’s meeting is one way of implementing it.

“I welcome it as an opportunity to get everyone up to speed and and address any questions or concerns,” she said.

As Project Poulsbo begins gaining speed, it is important to have council members on the same page and informed of the timeline of events between now and the Nov. 7 general election, she said.

“It gives us an opportunity to really discuss informally and we won’t be taking any formal action,” she said, noting that no business items are on the council agenda until Aug. 16.

City staff will be informed what their role is in the process and what can and can’t be done regarding the city hall advisory ballot issue during an Aug. 23 workshop, she said.

The next step in the progression of Project Poulsbo will be the addition of a link to the project’s page on the city’s Web site, Quade said.

Councilwoman Kimberlee Crowder said she believes public involvement is very important as the city moves ahead with not only its city hall location, but its future as well.

“I think it’s good that we’re going to have a plan in place and implement it,” said Crowder. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Oftentimes people are unceratain how to get involved and participate in local government affairs, she said. By having the public participation policy in place, Crowder said she hopes some of the confusion will be alleviated and people will be more willing to get involved.

Project Poulsbo has already begun generating excitement throughout the community and Crowder said numerous people have asked when the conversation kits are going to be available.

“Everyone’s excited and I think we all need to do our part,” Crowder said.

Councilman Mike Regis said the timing of tonight’s meeting is important to keep the project moving forward.

“It’s important so we can meet the objective of getting the information to the public in a timely manner,” Regis said.