Opinion ID: 2634685
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hangartner v. City of Seattle

Text: In early 2000, the City of Seattle (the City) announced that it would hold a public hearing on March 21, 2000, regarding Council Bill (CB) 113100. This proposed ordinance was designed to allow the City to issue permits for the temporary structures and uses necessary for the construction of a light rail transit system. [2] Hangartner's Clerk's Papers (HCP) at 62. On February 25, 2000, Rick Hangartner sent a PDA [3] request to the City seeking the disclosure of documents relating to CB 113100. Although the City produced the bulk of the requested documents, it withheld three of the requested documents (hereinafter referred to as the light rail documents), asserting that they were exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.17.260(1) by an other statute, the attorney-client privilege set forth in RCW 5.60.060(2)(a), and the so-called controversy exemption contained at RCW 42.17.310(1)(j). At the time Hangartner made his request, there was a considerable amount of public debate over the development of the light rail line. The City was not, however, involved in any litigation concerning CB 113100 at that time. Hangartner brought suit against the City in King County Superior Court seeking an order compelling disclosure of the light rail documents. He then moved for summary judgment. The City responded by filing a cross-motion for summary judgment. The trial court granted Hangartner's motion and ordered the City to allow Hangartner to inspect and obtain copies of the light rail documents. The trial court did, however, stay its judgment to allow the City an opportunity to seek review of its ruling. The City then sought discretionary review of the trial court's decision with Division One of the Court of Appeals. In a separate PDA request sent almost two weeks after the trial court's order, Hangartner sought records from the City relating to the City's designation of an alcohol impact area in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Although the City produced many of the requested documents, it withheld three documents (hereinafter referred to as the AIA documents) contending that they were exempt from the PDA under the attorney-client privilege. [4] The City agreed to allow Hangartner to amend his original complaint to include the City's refusal to release the AIA documents. The trial court then amended the judgment it had previously entered in order to provide that the City was required to release these additional documents. [5] The trial court also stayed the effectiveness of its amended judgment pending resolution of the matter on appeal. The City appealed to Division One of the Court of Appeals, which struck the prior motion for discretionary review and considered the entire case as an appeal of right.