News and Insights
Knowing the Waters – Public Records Requests
By Frank Chmelik and Allison Beard - February 2021 We have recently seen an increase in public record requests. One aspect of public record requests that need particular attention occurs when a list of individuals, companies or employees is requested. The Public Records Act, at RCW 42.56.070(8), prohibits governments from [...]
Knowing the Waters – Broadband Infrastructure
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. - January 2021 This month we will take a quick look at a growing area of port district interest – providing fiber optic cabling telecommunications infrastructure (known as “broadband infrastructure” or “digital infrastructure”) within and outside their districts. Several port districts [...]
Knowing the Waters – In-Person Meetings During COVID-19
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - December 2020 Last month, we discussed some long-term changes that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the way that business is conducted at ports which will likely continue into the future. Since the November column, we have received several inquiries [...]
Knowing the Waters – Adapting to Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - November 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought some real changes to the way that business is conducted. Ports, like many other businesses and governments, have adapted and innovated. What will be interesting to see is what adaptions and innovations survive [...]
Knowing the Waters – Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - October 2020 Over the years, one can see trends in the law. I think this happens when lawyers read the proposed agreements from other lawyers and think “well that is a good idea”. Like a rising tide, the new idea [...]
Knowing the Waters – Homelessness, Port Property, and COVID-19 Proclamations
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - September 2020 This month’s column discusses homelessness, camping on port property and in port parks, car camping on port streets, liveaboard boaters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The common thread here is people living on port district property without permission and [...]