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Issaquah council adopts new rules of procedure, ties confidentiality to public‑records exemptions
Summary
Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026‑11 and Ordinance 3140 updating council rules of procedure. Key amendments tie confidential designations to RCW 42.56 exemptions, create a written review path with the city attorney, restrict certain remote‑attendance excuses to approval by the council president, and remove a fixed cap on public‑comment duration to preserve flexibility for extended hearings.
The Issaquah City Council adopted a set of updated rules of procedure on June 1 after deliberation and three in‑session amendments. Deputy City Clerk Cassidy Miller presented the revised language developed by the council rules ad hoc committee; the council debated and approved further clarifications before adopting Resolution 2026‑11 and Ordinance 3140 by unanimous vote.
Key changes: The council amended Section 3.11 (Confidentiality) to make information "designated confidential" only when it would be wholly or in relevant part withheld under the Washington Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) or when the material is reasonably likely to be the subject of a specific upcoming executive session or pending/potential litigation. The rule now gives any council member who questions a confidentiality designation the right to ask the city attorney for a written explanation and a version of the material that omits only the confidential portions so the member can share the non‑confidential remainder publicly if appropriate.
Other amendments clarified that approvals for certain types of remote attendance (medical illness, quarantine, travel on city business) are handled by the council president and removed a fixed cap on the overall duration of public comment so the council retains flexibility to manage long public hearings and ensure a balanced opportunity for supporters and opponents.
Council Member Nichols, who proposed the confidentiality amendment, said the changes "make something explicit" about linking confidentiality to statutory exemptions and provide a clear path to seek a written explanation from the city attorney. (Council Member Nichols)
Next steps: The new rules are in effect immediately. Staff and the clerk will apply the clarified confidentiality standard and the revised remote attendance and public‑comment procedures at subsequent meetings.
