The longest-tenured employee in Gig Harbor’s history will call it a career March 31. Lt. Bill Colberg of the Gig Harbor Police Department was honored during Monday night’s regular meeting of the city council for his more than three decades of service to the Maritime City.

Colberg started his law enforcement career on Aug. 31, 1970, with the Glendale Police Department in California. This was following four years with the U.S. Air Force as a military police officer, including an 18-month stint in Vietnam.

After 11 years with the Glendale Police Department and having reached the rank of sergeant, Colberg decided to move north to Gig Harbor to raise his family. He joined the Gig Harbor Police Department on Dec. 7, 1981, having served as second-in command for nearly the last quarter century — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Police Chief Mike Davis, with the man of the hour at his side, explained to the council and those in attendance that Colberg wasn’t comfortable in the spotlight and eschewed public recognition. But there was no getting around his time in the spotlight this night.

“This is quite a milestone, not just in his career, but in Gig Harbor’s,” Davis said, noting that Colberg has been acting chief three times during his tenure with the Gig Harbor Police Department, but never sought the position on a permanent basis.

Davis also had a little fun with Colberg’s sometimes gruff demeanor.

“He might not have a big smile on his face, but he’s smiling on the inside — at least that’s what he tells us,” Davis said.

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Kadzik — Mayor Chuck Hunter was not in attendance — presented Colberg with a plaque commemorating his 32 years of service.

City Administrator Denny Richards, a former chief of the Gig Harbor Police Department who was responsible for promoting Colberg to sergeant and lieutenant, presented his past and present coworker with a money clip with Colberg’s name on the front and an inscription on the back.

In other business, the council passed two ordinances dealing with interim regulations regarding compliance under the Endangered Species Act.

For Gig Harbor to maintain its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program, the city must comply with one of three options: adopt the Federal Emergency Management Act-developed ESA, meet the FEMA checklist for ESA compliance with current regulations, or do permit-by-permit method.

The current interim measure that was approved by the council on Sept. 24 is set to expire March 23.
Citing concerns about the possible future merit of the second option and the city’s updated Shoreline Master Program, staff added language to the ordinance addressing that option once the SMP has been adopted and is effective.

The council passed the ordinance by a vote of 5 to 2, with council members Ken Malich and Michael Perrow voting no.

A 7-0 vote saw the council vote to approve extension of the interim ordinance adopting the permit-by-permit method.

The council held a public hearing on the extension of interim regulations regarding medical cannabis collective gardens.

 In November voters approved Initiative 502, which provided for the limited legalization of marijuana under state law. In order to charge cases under the new law, the city is required to adopt by reference the  new laws codified in chapter 69.50 of the Revised Code of Washington. The ordinance will also update several references currently in the city’s municipal code for consistency with state law.

The ordinance will be adopted after a second reading.

Council members considered an ordinance changing the words “license” and “licensee” to “permit” and “permittee,” reflecting the trend for licenses to be issued by the state and permits to be issued by local jurisdictions.

The change was sparked by the council’s Jan. 28 adoption of an ordinance that repealed Chapter 5.16 of the city’s municipal code having to do with temporary businesses.

The council unanimously approved authorizing Mayor Hunter to execute a small public works contract with Pump Tech, Inc., in an amount of no more than $4,112.15 to repair the city’s Well No. 5.

The council also unanimously approved authorizing Mayor Hunter to begin the process of hiring a full time building inspector to keep up with the increased demand of permitting.


Reporter Brett Davis can be reached at 253-358-4151 or by email at brett.davis@gateline.com. Follow him on Twitter @gateway_brett.