HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026, 01-13 Special Meeting Packet
AGENDA
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5:15 p.m.
In Person at Spokane Valley City Hall, Spokane Valley WA 99206
Council Requests Please Silence Your Cell Phones During Council Meeting
NOTE: Members of the public may attend Spokane Valley Council Special meeting in-person at the address
provided above. Noformalpublic comments or testimony will be accepted.
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MEETING CONVENES AT 5:15 P.M.
ROLL CALL
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
1. Admin Report: OPMA/PRA Training – City Attorney Konkright
ADJOURNMENT
Council Agenda January 13, 2026 Special Meeting Page 1 of 1
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
Request for Council Action
Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 Department Director Approval:
Check all that apply: consent old business new business public hearing
information admin. report pending legislation executive session
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act training.
GOVERNING LEGISLATION: Chapters 42.56 RCW (PRA) and 42.30 RCW (OPMA).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: Training by staff at least once per year.
BACKGROUND: Staff will provide training on the City’s obligations pursuant to chapter 42.56
RCW (the Public Records Act), and chapter 42.30 RCW (the Open Public Meetings Act).
OPTIONS: N/A.
RECOMMENDED ACTION OR MOTION: N/A.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACTS: N/A.
STAFF CONTACT: Kelly Konkright, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS: PowerPoint presentation.
statute
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Strongly worded mandate
“Public Record” definition
includes electronic
–
“Writing” communications
Public Record (writing) versus Information
“relating to
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Definition government”
“prepared, owned,
–
party contractor.
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For records on personal devices, consider whether record was created or used within “scope of employment” or “scope of official capacity”.Personal computer or phone of Council.Text messaged
from personal phone of Council.In possession of thirdAvailable from another entity.
Definition used, or retained by government”
Agency Rules
Form of the record request
acknowledging that the \[agency\] has received the request, requesting clarification, and denying the record request.
providing the record;providing an internet address/link to website for specific records;acknowledging that the \[agency\] has received the request and providing a reasonable
(5)
(4)
(1) (2)(3) estimate of the time the \[agency\] will require to respond to the request;providing a reasonable estimate of the time the \[agency\] will require to respond to the request
if clarification is not provided; or
Prompt response required
Exemptions
attorney
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Exempt from disclosure client privileged information
examples
Information generally not protected -
Penalties and Attorney’s Fees
Penalty per document or per request?
Determining how much penalty
Questions on the PRA?
The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)
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Id
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Id
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Id
Governments “exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business.” RCW 42.30.010.“The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.” “The people,
in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.” “The people insist on remaining
informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.” Goal is transparency and public trust.“It is the policy of the state that a governing body’s actions,
including deliberations, shall be taken and conducted in the open.” ESHB 1329
Purpose of OPMA
OPMA requirements
What is a “meeting”?
What is a “meeting”? cont.
What is a “meeting”? (cont.)
What is not a “meeting”?
Outlined in detail in the Governance Manual.Some general requirements:RCW 42.30.240: “Except in an emergency situation, the governing body of a public agency shall provide an opportunity
at or before every regular meeting at which final action is taken for public comment.”
What is not a “meeting”?
OPMA exceptions and exemptions
Executive sessions
OPMA penalties
on OPMA?
Questions