HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-23-minutes-opma-during-covid-192020-10-23 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. OCTOBER 23, 2020
Board members present via WebEx: Chairman, Brett Wachsmith;
Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz & Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others via WebEx: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II;
Taylor Crouch, Deputy Clerk of the Board I; Stephanie Hartung,
Deputy Prosecutor; Jessica Miller, Administrative Assistant and
2 members of the public. SPECIAL MEETING OPMA COMMISSIONERS
At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to
discuss with the Prosecutors office the rules regarding the Open
Public Meetings Act (OPMA) during COVID-19.
Commissioner Osiadacz said she asked to have a discussion on if
there were any ways to begin holding Commissioner meetings in
person. Stephanie Hartung, Deputy Prosecutor provided the
background of the Governor’s Proclamation No. 20-28, prohibits
holding in person meetings with more than 10 people in
attendance. She said the prohibition has evolved over the months
and there have been multiple revisions since it began due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. She said essentially the language in each
extension builds off each other, and when there have been
questions or clarification needed, she has reached out to the
Governor’s office to ensure we have the accurate information.
The current limit of 10 people who could attend an in person
includes the Board members and Staff. She said the Board could
potentially have overflow rooms for the public to attend a
virtual meeting around areas in the County, but if there were
any technical difficulties even in one place, the entire meeting
would need to be shut down. Other items discussed included
having a dedicated phone line for the public to be able to leave
a voicemail with comments for either an Agenda or Public
Hearings and maybe a specific email address where they can write
their comments as well. Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board noted
that there was already a general email address set up
(bocc@co.kittitas.wa.us) that Staff checks regularly during
business hours and any comments that are received are forwarded
to the Board and other appropriate departments, and if it’s
related to a Public Hearing, then those are placed into the
2020-10-23 MINUTES 2
record for that specific meeting. There was discussion on having
citizens put in their emails on the subject line that they are
providing comments for a Public Hearing. Commissioner Wright
said he did not want to set precedent on that matter.
Commissioner Osiadacz suggested installing hot spots in areas of
the Upper County for residents to use so they can attend the
virtual public meetings, due to limited or no internet service
available to them. It was noted that they will discuss having
hot spots in the Upper County next week during the IT Study
Session for further discussion. Commissioner Wright said he
would also like to discuss the WebEx shortfalls and expectations
with the IT Department as well.
Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II indicated CDS has a
host tech help line and asked Ms. Miller to provide information
about it. Jessica Miller, Administrative Assistant shared that
CDS has a host tech help line for Hearing Examiner meetings.
Commissioner Osiadacz said she would ask IT about that as well.
Ms. Hartung agreed to draft written information for the Board to
provide to the public explaining where we are relating to the
limitations of holding in person meetings due to the Governor’s
current prohibition so they have a better understanding of the
reasons why they cannot happen despite the Board wanting to meet
in person. Commissioner Osiadacz asked if the Board would like
her to draft a letter to the Governor’s office expressing their
frustrations with not being allowed to hold in person meetings,
and if they would consider making changes if guidelines were
followed including masking and 6-foot social distancing. The
Board did not have any objection to her drafting a letter, but
they did not anticipate receiving a response from the Governor’s
office.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman