EMAIL EXCHANGE REGARDING NON-RESPONSIVENESS TO PUBLIC REQUESTS, specifically after city administrator Roy Bysegger was fired by Mayor Rowe:

Sent June 1, 2001:

(Note of explanation: This was addressed in such an unusual manner due to the fact that Chief Walser had been operating as the city's manager since the firing of City Administrator Roy Bysegger in mid-January. In such capacity, and with no communication to the contrary to revise the administrative structure, he would also be embued with the responsibility of fulfilling public information requests, since that was previously being performed by the city administrator. This communication, therefore, was an effort to gain some attention in trying to get my simple requests fulfilled. We never received an answer from any city staff, but receive a reply of sorts from the Chief (reprinted below). As an aside, despite repeated phone requests to Building Official Bruner for a simple answer as to what was happening at the Eagle Ridge jobsite, we had to resort to asking him publicly the council meeting that followed this emailed request.)

Dear Mayor Rowe, Chief Walser, Connie and Craig:

 
I am addressing this to all of you because of the uncertainty of areas of responsibility at the moment, as well as my lack of success in obtaining answers.  I am requesting project status on the following (listed in order of urgency):
 
1.    Lots 113, 114 and 115 in E.R. (extreme northwest corner), across from 138th & SBR:  There has been a great deal of activity recently (telephone line and PUD install) in this area, which is the location of last year's attempt to approve a project more commonly known at that time as the "Eagle Ridge Business Center."
2.    McDonald's development application (I have also requested, through the Public Info Request process, a site plan some time ago -- May 10th -- which I still have not received).
3.    Botting Short-plat (above comments regarding the site plan request as shown in #2 above apply here as well).
4.    EIS for the industrial area.
 
In addition to the Public Information requests for site plans indicated above, I also have an outstanding public information request dated April 10, 2001 relative to the Darryl Downs' property lawsuit [emphasis added] that has not been fulfilled.
 
I realize the city is short-handed and I have therefore greatly limited my requests.  But if there is not enough staff time available to make a response to the most basic and rumdimentary questions, perhaps the city needs to concentrate on maintenance of its operations rather than enlarging them.  At least, until such time as new staff can be hired.
 
Thank you, 
Loretta Storm

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BELOW IS REPRINTED THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM THE CITY (resplendant with all of my typos!):

From: Chief Walser
To: Loretta Storm
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 4:18 PM
Subject: Re: Projects and Planning
Thank you for the email, public disclosure requests should be directed to the City Clerk, it is my understanding that she is working on a number of requests for you but that the response may be delayed due to workload, staffing concerns, and availability of personnel. I am sure she will work as quickly as possible for you and encourage you to contact her directly.

Regards,Chief Fred B. Walser

RESPONSE FROM L. STORM:

Fred, Thanks for your response.

However, this in no way addresses the problem, one which has and still does, permeate city staff. At the risk of raising your ire, Fred, you're simply passing the buck. I would actually love to talk with you sometime about the problems many (most) of us experience when we're trying to get answers. Most of the staff makes us feel as if we have a social disease. Now, in my case, it may be true, but in the case of many other residents, this is certainly not the case. (By the way, these requests are quite old, even though I only have two open ones at the moment.)

Fred, re trying to extract information -- especially RELIABLE informatino -- from the city, it's a huge problem. It's almost impossible getting someone on the phone. When you leave messages, they usually don't return the call. If you do get through to someone and/or they call you back and speak with you, it's difficult getting the answers you need, or getting anything that has the ring of accuracy. The first time I ever spoke with Craig Bruner, he lied to me and he's been doing so ever since. Staff "trained" me early on not to even try to expect straight answers, which is why we were forced to put through Public Info requests. It's less emotionally stressful. Also, it means you have something in writing. (This is NOT just because you're short-handed, either. It's existed at the city ever since last year when we became involved, and many others experienced it in the past, as evidenced by last July's town meeting. I don't know if you were there, but it was an oft-repeated complaint.

Fred, I know you have your plate full, believe me. But if you ever wish to talk about the problems of communicating with city staff, I'm your gal. I would appreciate it if you could find someone who could give me some answers.

Thanks for whatever you can do, Loretta

(NOTE: The chief called me personally called me after receiving this email and we had a nice conversation. Shortly thereafter, the "helm" for city management was turned back over to City Clerk Laura Koenig and the mayor, and so, of course, nothing changed.)