HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-29-minutes-freedom-foundation-unions--open-to-the-public08/29/2017 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 10:30 A.M. AUGUST 29, 2017
Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz; and Commissioner Obie O’Brien.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Representative Matt
Manweller, Val Barschaw, Clerk; Gene Dana, Sheriff; Lisa Young,
Human Resource Director; Jerry Pettit, Auditor; Neil Caulkins,
Deputy Prosecutor; and approximately 12 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING FREEDOM FOUNDATION COMMISSIONERS
At 10:30 a.m. Chairman Jewell opened a Special Meeting to consider
adopting a Policy and/or Resolution that all Collective Bargaining
Meetings will be Open to the Public.
Representative Matt Manweller, provided information from the State’s
prospective and the process they go through during negotiations and
the issues relating to transparency & propriety.
Lisa Young, Human Resource Director, provided a history of the
request previously received from the Freedom Foundation.
Mathew Hayward, Freedom Foundation representative, spoke about
transparency with local government and how he hoped the County would
open their negotiations to the public. He said it would have no
impact to Executive Sessions where strategies could still be
discussed. He felt tax payers want to know they are being negotiated
for and there would be less conflict if done in open meetings. He
said it’s not a new idea as its being done all over the Country in
different areas.
Stephanie Olsen, Litigation Council for Freedom Foundation, provided
information on Lincoln County’s Resolution.
Rob Coffman, Lincoln County Commissioner, provided information on
their experience since adopting a Resolution for having negotiations
open to the public. He noted the public was not allowed to
participate in the meetings, but it’s an opportunity for them to
observe the process.
Tom Cash, Representative from AFSCME, opposed the proposal and
addressed statements made by the Freedom Foundation. He reviewed the
process that they’ve experienced in the past and how it’s been very
transparent for as long as he’s been involved. He felt open
08/29/2017 MINUTES 2
negotiations may prohibit frank and fair discussions; hinder free
flow of discussions; and risk the possibility of having the media
misconstrue information.
Paul Parmley, Teamsters representative, provided some history of the
Freedom Foundation’s strategy and said it’s never been constituent
driven but a mission to defund organized labor. He questioned who
was providing their funding and said the Board should not compare it
with the State’s negotiation process.
Brad Sweet, Teamsters in Lincoln County, said he has been a Union
representative for 7 years and he felt they’ve always had a good
working relationship with their Board of County Commissioners
however, from his prospective the Board considered the proposal
without receiving input from them prior to adopting the Resolution.
He indicated they have a great flow of information with their
membership, and as far as he knows there’s no one in favor of what
was done.
Sheriff Gene Dana said he could see the financial aspects being an
educational piece for the public, but the internal operational parts
of their office is different.
Auditor Jerry Pettit said he believes in transparency and commented
on how there may be different structures between Counties.
Chairman Jewell thanked everyone for attending and said he
anticipated the Board scheduling another meeting in the near future.
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Paul Jewell, Chairman