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MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

The PRA and Third-Party Notice During Emergency Court Shutdowns

March 31, 2020 by Morgan Damerow
Category: Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post offers public agencies guidance on how to provide third-party notification for public records requests during a period when local superior courts have shut down or drastically cut back on hours.

Continuity of Operations During the COVID-19 Emergency

March 27, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: COVID-19

This article discusses measures that local governments have taken or may want to consider taking to ensure the continuity of their operations as they respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including governance and management, remote working arrangements, website communications, employee support, and more.

Tips for Government Bodies Meeting Remotely

March 26, 2020 by Ann G. Macfarlane
Category: Legislative Body , Council-Commission Advisor , COVID-19

This blog post offers guidelines and tips for conducting successful remote local government meetings.

Essential Services and Workers During the COVID-19 Emergency

March 26, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Operating Policies , COVID-19

This blog provides guidance on who can be considered an essential infrastructure worker and what is essential construction work during the COVID-19 emergency.

Governor Suspends In-Person Requirements in OPMA and PRA During COVID-19 Emergency

March 25, 2020 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post reviews Proclamation 20-28, which temporarily waives and suspends any in-person requirements in the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and the Public Records Act (PRA).

Disaster Zone: The Big One, COVID-19 Tsunami

March 24, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: COVID-19

This blog post describes how local government officials can best support the medical community during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fiscal Issues to Consider During the Coronavirus Outbreak

March 18, 2020 by Mike Bailey
Category: Finance , COVID-19

In light of the impact the coronavirus is having across Washington communities, this blog post reviews some fiscal challenges local governments may be facing.

The Importance of Urban Design for Your Community

March 16, 2020 by John Owen
Category: Design

This blog looks at the key components of urban design and the role it plays in healthy communities.

Annual Financial Reporting Options: GAAP-Basis

March 12, 2020 by Mike Bailey
Category: Financial Reporting

This blog post describes the GAAP-reporting option for annual financial reporting for local governments.

Disaster Zone: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Tips and Tidbits

March 4, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: COVID-19

Written by an emergency management professional, this blog post provides some tips to consider in planning for a coordinated response to the spread of COVID-19.

Managing Your Agency’s Response to the Coronavirus, COVID-19

March 3, 2020 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: COVID-19

The purpose of this blog is to assist local governments in preparing for and managing the possible disruptions that could occur as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in Washington communities.

What Are Local Governments Doing in Response to <em>Martin v. City of Boise</em>?

What Are Local Governments Doing in Response to Martin v. City of Boise?

March 2, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Homelessness

This blog post looks at how Washington local governments are adjusting to the 2018 ruling Martin v. City of Boise, which addressed ordinances that prohibit sleeping or camping on public property.

Annual Financial Reporting Options for Washington Local Governments

February 27, 2020 by Mike Bailey
Category: Financial Reporting

This blog article describes the annual financial reporting options available to local governments in Washington State.

New Ruling Provides Guidance on “Specific Intelligence”

February 24, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Public Records Act

This blog discusses the recent ruling in West v. City of Tacoma, which addresses what an agency needs to prove when it claims the Public Records Act’s exemption for “specific intelligence information."

Taking Action Using Ordinances, Resolutions, Motions, and Proclamations

February 20, 2020 by MRSC Insight
Category: Legislative Body

This blog post offers an overview of the many ways that a legislative body can take action on an issue.

Introducing Steve Gross, MRSC Legal Consultant

February 18, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category:

MRSC is happy to announce that Steve Gross has joined our legal team.

Permanent Supportive Housing: One Option for Addressing Homelessness

February 13, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Homelessness

This blog post looks at permanent supportive housing, which offers low-barrier affordable housing, health care, and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals, by profiling a related project in Everett.

Local Breed-Specific Dog Bans Now Need a Good Behavior Exception

February 10, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Animal Control

This blog post explores a new law that requires any local breed-specific dog regulations include a good behavior exemption.

Working on Council Guidelines? What About Remote Meeting Attendance?

February 6, 2020 by Laura Crandall
Category: Legislative Body

This blog post addresses remote meeting attendance, including what is possible and permissible under the Open Public Meetings Act.

Tips for Avoiding OPMA Violations

February 3, 2020 by Flannary Collins
Category: Open Public Meetings Act

This blog post looks at how local governments can avoid violating the Open Public Meetings Act — using questions recently submitted by Washington cites, counties, and special purpose districts.