A hearing date to determine a request for partial summary judgment in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Open Public Meetings Act has been postponed.
The hearing was postponed to a date uncertain after plaintiffs asked for more time to conduct discovery.
“We requested continuance and the court granted that,” said plaintiff’s attorney Michael Rasch, of Shoreline. “The courts want to make sure everyone has the information necessary to make an informed decision.”
The original hearing date was set for Oct. 20 and will have to be rescheduled at some point, said defense attorney Steve DiJulio, who was hired by the city to provide legal defense for city officials.
“It’s very common,” said DiJulio. “The judge allocated the other side more time to gather information before hearing the matter.”
The motion for partial summary judgment was filed on Friday, Sept. 22. Defendants are asking the court to decide whether there is any basis to one of two claims that they knowingly violated the Open Public Meetings Act. One component is a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act and the other is a knowing violation of the Open Public Meetings Act.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 2. in King County Superior Court, states Deputy Mayor Maggie Fimia, Mayor Bob Ransom, Councilwoman Janet Way and former Councilman John Chang violated the Open Public Meetings Act on numerous occasions from Dec. 5 through Dec. 27.
Those filing the lawsuit include former Mayor Connie King, former Councilman Kevin Grossman and Shoreline resident John D. Hollinrake, Jr.
The lawsuit trial date is set for June 25, 2007.
It’s expected that another hearing date will be set in the next few months.
“This is not something that should be prolonged,” DiJulio said. “The city is paying us, we’d just as soon not have that process continue on.”
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