Port of Whitman discusses agency transparency

Port of Whitman County Commissioners and staff discussed at Thursday's meeting ways, as an agency, they can better improve their transparency.

Discussions on this subject have been brought up briefly in previous port meetings on whether or not the port is doing everything they can do have public involvement with decisions being made.

Joe Poire, port executive director, said as an agency they've been mainly focused on the resolutions as the instrument, when that shouldn't be the case.

A majority of this topic circled around passed resolutions, most recently the surplus of port land in Pullman, and moving on with the port's FRAP application.

Tom Kammerzell, port commissioner, said that even if having a public hearing or creating resolutions are part of the protocol for certain projects, there still should be a place in the process for the public to give their input.

“That comes down to each meeting is a public hearing in and of itself; it's a meeting that the public can attend and see the agenda and minutes,” said Matthew Johnson, port attorney.

Kammerzell mentioned this discussion is needed because some resolutions are a check the box and some have a possibility of more significance.

“These resolutions shouldn't be treated the same, and we do need to talk about it and we do need to embrace the public, reach out to them in communication and good faith,” Kammerzell said.

Kristine Meyer, port commissioner, said that the port can have meetings, post the agenda, engage the press, post to social media and post the minutes and people still won't show up to meetings.

“Is there a recommendation alongside this with regard to changing what our communication strategy might be?” Meyer asked. “What must we accomplish in order to meet the perceived standard of transparency?”

Communication director of the port, Brenda Stav, said from her experience and what she is noticing, the process is working.

“I see it comparable to other local government in our area; it is how the public is aware of what is happening in the agencies,” Stav said. “I think what we are doing is working, the public is aware of the work of the commissioners. And we aren't even legally required to post our agenda given the size of the organization.”

Poire said that they will work on building some criteria for different topics that will be brought before the commissioners.