Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor | PenMet meetings should be audible as well as open

I want to address a major procedural and potentially legal issue arising from the last PenMet Board meeting.

I attended a Board meeting back in January at the new headquarters building for PenMet at the Community Recreation Center. It was difficult to hear what the Commissioners were saying because there was no sound system amplifying their voices. I questioned a PenMet staff member why a brand new building with four large flat screen tv’s and the ability to allow remote participation would have no microphones. I was told they just didn’t have time to get them before the meeting, but they would be available for future meetings. Apparently, that “to do” did not get done. The seating arrangement was similar to what it was at the Arletta Schoolhouse.

The most recent meeting in the same building still had no microphones and the new seating arrangement made things even worse. Beautiful building — horrible acoustics. The Commissioners still had no microphones. The staff still had no microphones. Those at the podium still had no microphones. The Commissioners also sat at a distance from the audience.  The staff were now sitting between the Commissioners and the audience facing the Commissioners, which means they had their backs to the audience. The speakers at the podium were angled away from the audience. It was extremely difficult for some to hear what anyone was saying. My hearing is not the best, but others in the audience could not hear much either.

The Open Public Meeting Act or “OPMA”, in RCW 42.30.030(1) clearly states that “All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public …” RCW 42.30.030(2) goes on to state: “Public agencies are encouraged to provide for the increased ability of the public to observe and participate in the meetings…”

If the governing body invites the public in, but then conducts the meeting in a manner that prevents public participation, I believe the governing body has not complied with OPMA. In addition, I also observed on several occasions the Commissioners would lean over and speak to each other privately. I don’t consider that practice to comply with OPMA either.

I strongly suggest that PenMet find a few hundred dollars in its budget of millions to get the needed microphones. Failing to do so may subject both PenMet and the Commissioners personally to sanctions under OPMA. It may also cause any actions taken, including those at the last meeting if challenged, to be null and void.

Craig McLaughlin

Fox Island

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