News and Insights
COVID19 OPMA Updates – Restrictions on Capacity and Physical Distancing Lifted
As of June 30, 2021 Governor Inslee has “opened up” Washington State from COVID19 restrictions, however the state of emergency is still in effect. What does this mean for municipal agencies and their compliance with the OPMA? Here are the current requirements regarding open public meetings: Proclamation 20-28.15 is [...]
Is reposting agency social media an improper use of public facilities? – Election Season Reminders for Municipal Agencies, Officials and Employees
As election season is upon us, local government officials and employees are regularly faced with making decisions about election-related questions and activities. Officials and employees must remain vigilant about staying on the right side of the line that distinguishes acceptable activities from those prohibited by law. Below are examples of [...]
Knowing the Waters – Loss of Port Funds
By Frank Chmelik This month, we look at what happens when a port discovers a “known or suspected loss of public funds.” Honestly, this does not happen very often, but when it does occur it can be very stressful on port staff and the commissioners, particularly when it [...]
PHASE 3 UPDATES – Vaccination Status, Masking and OPMA Attendance
May 24, 2021 June 30th Reopening Date On May 13, 2021 Governor Inslee announced the statewide reopening date of June 30, 2021 and that all counties in Washington would move to Phase 3 of his Healthy WA: Roadmap to Recovery plan effective May 18 until June 30. Reopening [...]
Knowing the Waters – Public Works, Ordinary Maintenance and Maintenance
By Frank Chmelik, Seth Woolson and Peter Ruffatto Seth Woolson is a principal in our firm and works on public work construction issues for port districts. Peter Ruffatto was the Bellingham city attorney before joining our firm this month. This month’s topic is the rules surrounding public works, ordinary maintenance [...]
Knowing the Waters
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – March 2021 Port districts, like all Washington local and municipal governments, are required to redistrict their commission districts once every ten years using the decennial census data provided by the federal government. For most port districts (county-wide port [...]
Knowing the Waters – Public Works, Ordinary Maintenance and Maintenance
By Frank Chmelik, Seth Woolson and Peter Ruffatto Seth Woolson is a principal in our firm and works on public work construction issues for port districts. Peter Ruffatto was the Bellingham city attorney before joining our firm this month. This month’s topic is the rules surrounding public works, ordinary maintenance [...]
Knowing the Waters
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – March 2021 Port districts, like all Washington local and municipal governments, are required to redistrict their commission districts once every ten years using the decennial census data provided by the federal government. For most port districts (county-wide port [...]
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 – 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 [...]