Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Development ServicesJuly 8, 2019 GRANT COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES P.O. BOX 37 - 264 WEST DIVISION AVENUE EPHRATA, WA 98823 (509) 754-201 1 EXT 3001 L -u Grant County Board of County Co-nissionersn P.O. Box 37 Ephrata, WA 98823 IrlRe: Plia-=-ingCornmfission -Appointment—Mr. David Eck Honorable Chairman and Memlbers of the Board, As requested, please accept the following information for consideration of the Potential conflicts of L interest andlor appearance of fairness issues that could be raised by anal through the, appointment of Mr. r__ David Eck to the Grant County Planning Conmidssion. These comments are provided based on my professional opinion as the Development Senices Director and having no prior knowledge of Mr.rEck. I J. As I understand the relevant facts relating to &d"s appoffiLment, Mr. Eck applied to serve on the Grant nor County Plan-niCommission du��g the recent recruitment C:) ruitmelat effort for the vacant position. NTIr. Eck currently serves on the Moses Lake Plarn=zi igCom=ission and the Grant County Fair Advisory +40n Cornmr,ittee. I'llaad a bn.L,,:-f conversat: with Mr. Eck neg'al-dir-hy his interest in serving on the Grant County Cr 4 Planning Corrnn-�ission during which he indicated that he intended on, retaining his seat on the Moses Lake Plan-Iiing Conwinission. During filuis same conversation he also indicated that hC.. was croiLn-cr to be serving on th loses Lake City Council. later this year.L (2019). ffisomuch as I would greatly appreciate another planning co==ission member with the desire to serve the A= public. such as Nfir. Eck, his current position with the Moses Lake Planndncr Comrrdssi on, as well as his upcoming time, with the Moses Lake City Couaicil present some challenges with regard tothe Appearance *1 ;_ L In of Fairness Doct.,L-ine, N1r. Eck could be, in the position to simultaneously serve in an advisory capacity on the sarne project for both the City and the County. It would be unreasonable to assume that NT1r. Eck .1 %_1 would be required to cornpromise his opinion on a project depending on wh,-.'k-,h Planning Commission seat L sittinor in al t ti--. ne o-:* rendering a reco=endation or decision. Ln this way, questions could be he was 4= -qe I I I raised about his aiftiality (not, at all as a character. matter, but rather as a proce I ral matter). Because =1 P CE U. L this is one of the basic requirements of the appearance of fairness doctri?ne, it's best to avoid introducing appearance of fairness issues -when avoidable for the integrity of the permit process. This matter becomes I - more complica-UCd when he becomes a sitting City Council member for the same reasons. Although Mr. Eck has indicated he could recuse himself from actions that pose a conflict or an appearance issue, given the very limited scope of review the Grant County Planning ColMlission is responsible for, nearly every hearing would be th(:,., potential source of an appearance of fairness matter for the County, and we would functionally still have a vacancy on the conunission. Please advise ifyou havC, any other questions. 7 Respectfully, Damien Hooper Director "TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SERVING TOGETHER VVITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE rr--NTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL \NORK ENVIRONMENT."