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Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />WHEREAS: The Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.140) permits collective bargaining <br />contract negotiations to be exempted from the open public meetings <br />requirements, but this exemption does not compel such negot iations to be <br />exempt; <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED: in order to foster openness and transparency in Kittitas <br />County government, a new chapter shall be added to Title 2 of the Kittitas County Code, which <br />shall state as follows: <br /> <br />CHAPTER 2.82 OPEN AND TRANSPARENT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING <br /> <br />2.82.005 Legislative Intent <br />The Board of County Commissioners declares it to be in the public interest for there to be <br />openness and transparency in collective bargaining sessions and contract negotiations betwe en <br />Kittitas County and employee Collective Bargaining Units. <br /> <br />2.82.010 Open Collective Bargaining <br />All collective bargaining sessions and contract negotiations between Kittitas County and <br />employee Collective Bargaining Units shall be held in meetings open to the public. Kittitas <br />County shall provide notice to the public of all such sessions or contract negotiations. <br /> <br />2.82.020 No Public Testimony Allowed <br />Members of the public are invited to observe collective bargaining sessions and contract <br />negotiations between Kittitas County and employee Collective Bargaining Units. However, <br />members of the public will not be offered an opportunity to participate or offer testimony <br />during the meeting. <br /> <br />2.82.030 Exceptions <br />The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: a) grievance or mediation proceedings; b) <br />discussions relating to the interpretation, enforcement, or application of a labor agreement; c) <br />that portion of a meeting during which the governing body or employee collective bargaining <br />unit is planning or adopting the strategy or position to be taken during the course of collective <br />bargaining; or d) meetings or caucuses between an employee Collective Bargaining Unit and its <br />exclusive bargaining representative. <br /> <br />Additionally, collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations for subjects relating to <br />employee safety or working conditions may be closed to the public as directed by the elected <br />official(s) with authority over a particular Collective Bargaining Unit. <br /> <br />BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, the Information Technology Department is charged with <br />incorporating and updating the amendment authorized herein on the Kittitas County web page. <br /> <br />