HomeMy WebLinkAbout100922 PUBLIC COMMENT_ re_ WORKSHOP re_ Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) Guidelines________________________________
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Commissioners,
First, thanks to Mr. Hunsucker for using the term "decision" in place of “Final Action”; I believe this will help to keep things clear.
I have a few comments about the Draft Guidelines, summarized below:
1. In Part IV, Section C refers RCW 42.30.230(2). This should be RCW 42.30.240(1)
2. In Part IV, Section D also refers RCW 42.30.230(2). This should be RCW 42.30.240(1)
3. In Part IV, Section D refers to Section C. This should be a self-reference to D (re: deadline).
4. In Part V, Section D 9. The term "potential action" should be "potential decision".
5. In Part V, Section H. It could be noted that multiple public comment periods are allowed (and even encouraged, to permit more focused, topic-specific comments.)
6. In Part VI, F -- I urge the BoCC to adopt “Option 2: All open public meetings shall be recorded into an audio file or video file.”
7. In Part VI, F -- Add “Recordings must remain available online for 6 months (RCW 42.30.220).”
8. In Part VI, H -- I recommend replacing the word "comments" with "testimony"
9. Same in Part IX, B
10. In Part VII, Consider
a. Is it necessary to publish the regular meeting schedule for 30+ committees in the paper of record?
b. Is it necessary to publish the regular meeting schedule more than once if it is unchanged from one year to the next?
11. In Part IX, D -- I Recommend adding between #1. and #2 : “The Chair [presiding officer] shall announce the names and positions of those who will be in attendance during each Executive
Session.”
12. In Part X, B 8. -- Minutes should list the start/end times of Executive Sessions and Closed Sessions (RCW 42.30.140).
13. In Part XI, B -- I recommend more detailed explanations. e.g., Do not use "Reply All" or any other process that could possibly lead to a serial / chain / hub and spoke meeting, any
/ all of which can violate the OPMA.
14. In Part XII, C. -- If the error is discovered the meeting must be immediately adjourned.
15. In Appendix E, the Minutes form should state only the MEMBERS of the governing body who are present, not staff or members of the public.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss the above in greater detail.
Thank you,
Tom Thiersch
Jefferson County, WA