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Staff warns executive committee of unprecedented backlog in public records requests and potential legal risk
Summary
Staff reported 14 active public records requests—an atypical volume—and said searches requested of commissioners have been delayed since December; staff warned the lack of timely commissioner responses could raise legal exposure and suggested an executive session to assess risk.
During the executive committee meeting, a staff member told commissioners the commission is facing an unusually large volume of public records requests and that some searches have been pending since December.
"We've never had this many requests going... At any point in time ever," the staff member said, describing multiple large requests and repeated follow‑ups. The staff member said the issue is not staff delay but a lack of responsiveness by some commissioners to requests that require their assistance.
The staff member expressed concern that unreasonable delays could prompt legal action. "I've been reading case law on this, especially recent case law, there's been recent case law on, agencies being rapidly responsive... I feel like the court would be concerned that we're not being responsive," the staff member said.
The staff member asked whether the matter should be discussed in executive session; they said they would determine whether the content qualifies for a closed session but would also be prepared to raise the issue in open session if necessary. Chair Alex Johnson and other commissioners said the topic was important and discussed briefly how to structure meeting time to address responsibilities and potential executive session content later in the in‑person meeting.
No formal action was taken at the executive committee meeting; staff said they would prepare points for either an executive session or an open discussion and follow up with commissioners on next steps.
