On Monday, legislative leadership approved the extension of Proclamation 20-28 modifying the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public
Records Act (PRA) until Tuesday, January 19.
Under Proclamation 20-28.14, all cities in all phases may now include an in-person component for public meetings. In-person city meetings will need to follow additional guidelines outlined in the “Miscellaneous Venues COVID-19 Requirements” document. These guidelines include limiting meeting room occupancy to 25% of the room's occupancy limit (per fire marshal code) or 100 people, whichever is fewer, so long
as attendees can maintain six feet of physical distance.
However, under the COVID-19 guidance Gov. Inslee issued on November 15, in-person business meetings,
including in-person attendance at city council meetings, are prohibited until at least Monday, January 4. This also means the previous exception for in-person meetings in phase three jurisdictions is no longer allowed.
Before implementing an in-person component to public meetings after the prohibition expires, cities should review these updated guidelines with their legal counsel.