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MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for January 2020

Disaster Zone: Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

January 31, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Guest Author , Emergency Management

This blog post looks at the dangers of unreinforced masonry buildings.

Are Your Public Meetings Truly “Open” to the Public?

January 27, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Public Participation

This blog post considers how local governments could make public meetings even more accessible to the public.

Finding Success in Using Community Resources to Deliver Value as a Newly Elected Official

January 16, 2020 by Mike Bailey
Category: Newly Elected and Appointed Officials

This blog article looks at the role of an elected official as policymaker, one who brings value to the community by overseeing use of its financial resources.

Worker reading a file stands in front of stacked file boxes.

Understanding When It’s Over: Administrative Procedures and the PRA

January 13, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Public Records Act

This blog post summarizes Kilduff v. San Juan County and suggests best practices for agency administrative procedures concerning public records searches.

Court Upholds King County Ordinance Requiring Franchise Compensation for Use of Right-of-Way

January 7, 2020 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Utilities , Water Utilities

Can a county charge a fee for allowing a utility to use the county’s right-of-way for placement of utility infrastructure? The Washington Supreme Court ruled recently that it can.

Yim I and Yim II Clarify Washington Regulatory Takings and Substantive Due Process Law

January 2, 2020 by Roger Wynne
Category: Guest Author , Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Land Use Administration

This blog post addresses Yim I and Yim II, two recent Washington Supreme Court rulings that clarify the state's regulatory takings and substantive due process jurisprudence.

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