Bitter Infighting at the Kirkland City Council; 4-3 vote to investigate sitting council member
In what was by far the liveliest meeting of the year, the Kirkland City Council displayed an image of infighting, distrust and raw politics
UPDATED
The September 1 Kirkland City Council meeting gave Kirklanders a glimpse of the deep political divide which both cripples our council and makes observers throughout the Eastside wonder what has happened in Kirkland City Hall. The division among the seven members of the council is often referred to in the comments portion of this blog as “The Gang of Four” or “The Gang of Three”. Some division on a council is healthy. Disagreement on hot issues is expected. However, after this meeting, there can be little doubt that several city council members have utter contempt for each other.
The evening started out nicely with King County Councilmember Jane Hague thanking the council for working so closely with her on several issues, followed by KDOG presenting a $3,000 check to the City. Green Tips promoted shopping at farmers markets and attending the Kirkland Wednesday Market Harvest Supper.
Then things got serious. During Agenda Item 6a Council Reports, Councilmember Bob Sternoff read from a prepared text in which he apologized for his use of the City email system for his personal email communications.
Agenda Item 7a started out with a bang. During the Items from the Audience portion of the meeting a citizen of Kirkland stood before the dais and read aloud a letter written by a former city employee Sheila Cloney. The letter was highly critical of Councilmember Tom Hodgson and his public beratement of a volunteer member of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
Next up: two individuals read explicit excerpts from the meant-to-be-private emails between Councilmember Bob Sternoff and his girlfriend.
During their allotted three minutes to speak, these individuals read aloud emails Mr. Sternoff wrote to his girlfriend during a council meeting earlier in the year. Some of the comments could reasonably be described as explicit or crude and therefore are inappropriate to publish here. The readers of the email transcripts said that some of the unsavory comments referred to another city council member as well as other people in attendance at that meeting.
One of the two individuals reading Mr. Sternoff’s emails stated that she owned a residence in Juanita. The other said he was from Seattle. Both came well-prepared: they caried approximately 1,000 pages of email transcripts in two large notebooks.
The email transcripts were originally requested as part of a public documents request made by Scott St. Clair of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. Mr. St. Clair wrote an article accusing Councilmember Sternoff of misused city email resources during a city council meeting. Mr. St. Clair later submitted the same article to Kirkland Views.
During a break in the meeting, one person familiar with all of the parties involved said, “it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Later in the meeting, Councilmember Dave Asher brought forward a motion to re-open the LTAC membership issue so he could change his vote from the last council meeting. The purpose of this unusual maneuver was to allow for sitting LTAC members to give input to the council. In light of several letters the council has received from LTAC members and the fact that some members refuse to attend meetings, it was acknowledged that member input should to be considered by the council. The vote to approve Councilmember Hodgson as chair of LTAC and approve existing members was retaken and did not pass. Then a new motion to allow input from LTAC members was passed. The chair of LTAC, Councilmember Tom Hodgson agreed with the motion.
“We are getting into waters where we do not want to go.”
The evening closed with a bang as the City Council passed a motion to authorize the spending of up to $5,000 to retain the services of an independent investigator to review the legal issues surrounding Councilmember Sternoff’s email communications. Councilmember Dave Asher made the following motion:
I move that:
- The Council hire an independent investigator (for an amount not to exceed $5,000) that will review the information disclosed as part of the EFF FOIA request to determine if there are violations of the laws of Kirkland or the State of Washington.
- The staff is directed to cooperate fully in this investigation to support the goal of the investigator.
- The report from the independent investigator should be provided to the Council by close-of-business on 2 October, 2009.
The motion passed by a margin of 4 to 3. The three council members who cast “no” votes, which included Mr. Sternoff himself, described the hiring of an attorney to be a “vendetta” and “spending money we don’t have.” Mr. Sternoff rhetorically asked if the council really wanted to have every communication examined from their city-owned PDAs – a possible outcome if a lawsuit ensues. Councilmember Mary-Alyce Burleigh strongly opposed this decision stating, “we are getting into waters where we do not want to go.”
The vendetta claim may have been reference to the fact that the council already has a report being prepared by an attorney who investigated the issues surrounding the Bank of America debacle last summer. In that affair, Councilmember Hodgson handed one party of the quasi-judicial proceedings information during the hearing. Other council members protested that the documents were privileged and their attorney-client rights were in jeopardy. Ultimately, a settlement was reached. The investigation of what transpired was commenced and a report was to be presented to the council. That report has still not surfaced.
Another oddity of the evening was likely noticed by regular followers of the council: the seating order at the dais has changed. Councilmember Jessica Greenway is no longer seated next to Mr. Sternoff. She is now seated between Mr. Hodgson and Mayor Lauinger. No explanation was given for this change.
The City’s website has video of the Sept 1 City Council meeting available on demand. Jump to these pointers to review what actually took place:
- 7a. Items from the Audience
- 10d. Unfinished Business – LTAC
- 11f. New Business – EFF pdr
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Posted by Rob Butcher on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 1:29 am
Filed under Features, Headlines · Tagged with City Council
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I agree with Mary Alice Burleigh. Mr. Sternoff has admitted his wrong doing, and has apolojized. So why in the world would the City spend $5000.00 to investigate it?????? Get over it and move on.
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Ditto
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I also agree with Mary Alice Burleigh.
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Sternoff’’s actions, from all indications, were truly personal. While innappropiate to do on City time and with City resources, there is no legal reason to investigate further. Political reasons, on the other hand, seem to be dictating the vendetta.
Well, when the other Council members have their personal communications disclosed too, we’ll all get to wallow in the mess together. Thanks Dave Asher, Jim Lauinger, Tom Hodgson, and whoever else voted for this waste of time and money. Can’t wait to read your personal emails!
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It’s like watching a car wreck in slow motion…
45th District Democrats are imploding before our eyes and Dave Asher is lighting the fuse ! WHY?
The questions I have to ask are these:
Did ‘The Gang of Four’ improperly collude with the witnesses that spoke Tuesday night – particularly Ms. Judith Shattuck? She claims to have copies of Mr. Sternoff’s emails, but as far as I know only nine people had copies. The seven council members, Rob Butcher and Scott St. Clair.
I doubt Butcher, St. Clair, Burleigh, McBride or Sternoff would give her copies. So that leaves Asher, Greenway, Lauinger or Hodgson.
I have to believe, since he is in a run for his political life, Hodgson wouldn’t do it.
While Greenway always be trusted to vote with The Gang, she has nothing to personally gain, so she is unlikely.
Asher is too smart to trust an unknown operative.
That leaves Lauinger and his former roommate Council Candidate Tennyson.
Any evidence? Why yes, thanks for asking!
Judith Shattuck, a shrill proponent of Karen Tennyson and contributor to these pages re: Kirkland politics (although she lives in Redmond) is listed as a supporter of Karen Tennyson on Karen’s own website right between Laura Seitz and Sharon Sherrard, (should Judith’s name happen to disappear).
So here’s question #2, if this witch hunt is to continue, will it include all city owned PDA’s provided to councilmembers? Both private email accounts as well as public? If so, now that we have learned some of the ‘explicit’ talk between Sternoff and his bride-to-be, will we also be subjected to Dave Asher’s ’sweet nothings’ with his lovely bride or Mayor Lauinger’s pillow talk with Karen Tennyson?
The horror, the horror.
People, we have to stop this nonsense. Find out how many bianary electrons were expended sending these personal emails and send me the bill ! I’ll send a dollar bill and you can put the eighty six cents change in your legal defense fund.
John Gilday
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Ms. Shattuck’s voting district is KIRK 45-2932 – that’s Kirkland. She also is listed on Roger Goodman’s endorsement site as Kirkland.
Less recently, in 2004 she is found on an endorsement page with a Redmond listing. It would appear that she is currently in Kirkland. I do see her listed on the Karen Tennyson site, but it doesn’t say Redmond. Without too much trouble I was able to find her address and it is 98033.
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She may be registered to vote in Kirkland, she may have a mailing address in Kirkland, she may even own property in Kirkland, but that does not mean she can legally vote in Kirkland.
Some people think that they have more latitude as to where they can be registered than Washington law allows. One can legally only be registered to vote at their actual residence address. See RCW 29A.04.151.
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Interesting. As so. we find both a Kirkland and a
Redmond address for her and how from that did you determine which is the “actual” address for her. I was giving information as to where she was registered to vote. As long as you are not voting from two locatons — The Washington Constitution doesn’t require a “residence” as a condition of voting as long as a person meets all other registration requirements. (Article VI Section1) {copies directly from the State web site}
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And without too much trouble I find her just north of Education Hill, Redmond 98052
(want an address?)
If Ms. Shattuck is using a rental property as her voting address I’m afraid she is breaking the law.
You vote where you live.
If you listen to last night’s council meeting her exact quote was
“My name is Judith Shattuck and I have a residence in the Juanita neighborhood”
Well, my name is John Gilday and I have a residence in Corpus Christi, Texas, but if I try and vote there I’ll be answering to a judge.
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According to King County property records, Judith sold her home at 10415 168th Ave NE, Redmond, for $323,700 on December 13, 2004. Some online directory services still show that as her address, but they’re outdated.
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Yes, she did sell that house. However, there is a different Redmond address that was listed online for her in September 2006.
Why did she choose the words “I have a residence in the Juanita neighborhood” instead of “I live in the Juanita neighborhood”?
I guess someone should ask her exactly where her primary residence is.
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The division among the seven members of the council is often referred to in the comments portion of this blog as “The Gang of Four” or “The Gang of Three”.
And that’s how they voted on the $5,000 investigation. Compared to the two indiscretions that Tom Hodgson committed, this matter is trivial.
We won’t have peace around here for awhile.
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If Doreen, Amy and Penny are elected in just a few short months, as I believe they ALL should be – I’m betting many of these shenanigans will stop cold. We will finally have a cohesive council (with the exception of Jessica – but she’ll just be there for entertainment value at that point) and maybe we’ll actually be able to get some things DONE around here. Talk about “Transparency” – this is completely politically motivated and has nothing to do with anything. It’s a waste of precious resources of staff that is already stretched due to massive budget cuts. Bob apologized, I’m sure it won’t happen again, and that should be the end.
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Now we know how boaring the Council meetings are for both the members and the public. Bob did nothing wrong – there were no costs to the city for his emails – or lack of participation in the activities of the council. This is simply an effort on the part of our failed Mayor, Jim – to move attention from the illegal activities of Tom Hodgson, who HAS costs the city many thousands of dollars in legal costs, and now has recently invited another lawsuit from a private citizen or two. For this “Gang of Four” to spend $5,000 we don’t have, just to move the focus – shows once again, how Jim’s lack of management and leadership skills, has made Kirkland a laughingstock. It is well past time for both Jim and Tom (and Jessica) to leave the Council – the city has real problems and we need to move on! Never in the history of Kirkland have we had such poor leadership from a Mayor.
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It appears that most of the comments are not in favor of an independent lawyer investigating the circumstances underlying Councilmember Sternoff’s conduct. However, I believe it’s necessary.
Mr. Sternoff argued that he was taking the high road in his apology and his decision not consult a lawyer, but agreed to “allowing” the information to be released. Evidently he thought a lawyer was not necessary. He may be wrong.
Mr. Sternoff comment was that he was taking the high road. He should have thought of that when he was e-mailing unbecoming comments to his friend. He took the low road. By taking the low road, he brought on the subsequent action on himself.
His statements were offensive to some and maybe many people. It created distrust between him, the citizens, and fellow Councilmembers. Councilmember Burleigh said that more distrust between Councilmembers would result. I suggest that’s exactly what Councilmember Sternoff did. So have other Councilmembers.
I remind Ms. Burleigh that she has also created much distrust between citizens and Councilmembers. The Council admonished her actions regarding the annexation. Mr. Sternoff alone reversed some of the decisions he previously supported on annexation and gambling thereby creating distrust in his own convictions and ability to consistently represent the citizens of Kirkland. He’s becoming harder and harder to believe.
Although using government provided equipment might not in itself be wrong, the comments by Mr. Sternoff were. Councilmembers should not disrespect fellow Councilmembers and those they represent.
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Bob,
I always look forward to your input but I couldn’t disagree more.
When a person raises himself or herself up to speak in a public forum – be it a blog or a council meeting – there are people that will sopport them and people that will take potshots at them – I’m sure you have discovered that to be true, I know I have.
People have told me that they disagre with me and were so mad they wanted me dead… but I can walk through 92% of Kirkland without watching my back.
People have wanted to strangle me (mom, dad, brothers, nuns… the list is too long) yet somehow I am still drawing air.
Bob, there are even people out there that disagree with you! (I know ! Hard to believe isn’t it?) but what they say to make their point is NOT what they would actually do!
Sternoff didn’t have the sense to use a web based mailserver like I believe all the other councilpersons do, so he goofed there.
Are we supposed to foot a $5,000 investigation and $12,000-$20,000 worth of lost man-hours by city staff assembling the ‘evidence’ just because Sternoff wasn’t as deceptive as others?
I’d love to ask Asher, Hodgson, Greenway and the mayor if they use anon email accounts…
(I can only imagine)…
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First Tuesday in November can’t come some enough!
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And for this we pay taxes? You boys and girls should be ashamed.
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If they are going to investigate Bob, then they should investigate ALL Council activity on city-owned computers (not just email through the city email) during meetings. If you did it on a City owned computer – show it to the investigator – including your web-based email. In fact, since access to the internet during a Council meeting would have happened via the City network – even those using their personal computer should make their activity during Council meetings available if they want to investigate Bob. I don’t believe we should investigate any of this but fair is fair. Clearly Bob said inappropriate things. Clearly feelings have been hurt. Let’s not waste City funds. Let’s move on. Everyone just play nice for two months.
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I happen to like most of the ones on the current council, but have to say that this time, they made a wrong call. Spending $5K on an investigation is an unnecessary expense at this, and any, time. Only thing that really have happened is that I’d like to get to take a peak at Mr Sternoff’s e-mail as well (plain old curiosity).
As for those who blast “Ms. Shattuck” for speaking out, we can all do so (speak out) during the “Items from the Audience” section of a Council meeting. As far as I am aware, it has nothing to do with where one votes, or not. I live in Kirkland but can not vote (not a citizen). I can however speak my mind and get my “three minutes of fame”, and have done so a few times. I am thankful for having that opportunity to approach and influence those who lead our beautiful city, and only wish more would get involved in the city and not just complain and point fingers. There is a lot we can do together, from keeping an open and honest debate about how we run the city, to help care for our parks, all the way to pick up when our dog has pooped.
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The letter from Mr. Alskog which the mayor refers to as not having any teeth actually could have some serious fangs attached sometime soon. I am watching for a filing against the city, the mayor and Hodgson that could make the costs that the city incurred over the Hodgson B of A mess look like loose change.
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This nonsense has been going on for the last 10-12 years. Yet, the voters do nothing.
I have had numerous dealings with this council and found them so disconnected from reality and easily fooled. They want the glory without taking the time to understand the dynamics of their decisions.
I sold one of the trophy properties in downtown because of their lack of merit and foolishness.
they could not be trusted to stand up to pressure.
I would quote from Margaret Thatcher often around the city hall:
“To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.”
There is no leadership and it is needed.
Long Gone
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well said….
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C*H*A*O*S !
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