I am pleased to report that those concerns have been acted upon. City staff recently streamlined internal procedures to speed up turn-around time when processing public requests for public documents.

My purpose in responding is not to refute any of the criticism but to state unequivocally that the Puyallup City Council and city staff are committed to transparency in city government.

This city firmly believes that the public’s business should be conducted in the public arena, and that transparency in local government encompasses more than processing requests for information in a timely manner. It also includes holding public meetings and study sessions at a time and place that is convenient for the public to attend.

Study sessions are considered an opportunity for council members to be better informed on critical issues. Previously, the public was invited to attend our study sessions but was excluded from making comments unless specifically called upon.

The Puyallup City Council recently declared that individuals who attend study sessions will be invited to speak to those issues at the end of the meetings.

Earlier this year, the city contracted with an outside consultant who instructed the council on legal proprieties and a myriad of issues, to include limitations on topics and discussions while in executive sessions.

When in executive sessions, the City Council may have limited private discussions to protect the privacy rights of individuals, to discuss negotiations, to discuss the purchase and sale of property, and to evaluate public employees. However, voting is prohibited when in executive session. A discussion for the rationale and voting must always take place later in a public forum.

All of these actions demonstrate this city’s commitment to enhance transparency in our government.

Your elected representatives are part-time council members, from various walks of life, who have made a commitment to serve this community. Like you, we are local citizens who support public scrutiny of all aspects of this city’s government and all actions taken by the City Council.

To demonstrate my personal commitment to transparency in Puyallup city government, I have included my phone number and my e-mail address below to allow citizens to comment and to express their past, present and future concerns.

Donald E Malloy is the mayor of Puyallup. Contact him at 253-841-3433 or by e-mail at dmalloy@ci.puyallup.wa.us.