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Staples receipt for costs Renton outsourced while supplying records to Superior Court; Logan Six applicants have been asked to pay this, even though it’s five times the published fee schedule.
The Renton Fee Schedule, approved by Renton City Council, is pretty clear. The City can charge residents 15 cents per page for printed or photocopied pages. The City Clerk can also waive these charges, and often does, for residents that have not used an excessive amount of photocopying or printing services in the past.
So why is the city charging 78 cents per page to Renton residents appealing the Logan Six project? The question has North Renton residents justifiably perturbed. They’ve been paying taxes to fund the Renton City Clerk’s office for decades, and now the first time they need copies of some city documents the city is gouging them. The City is not even using the photocopiers that taxpayers funded– they’re having the copies made at Staples, a retail store.
Excerpt from Renton’s 2025-2026 fee schedule
The high charge is five times the city’s published fee schedule, which is arguably illegal. But just as upsetting to North Renton residents, the usurious charge looks like an effort on the part of someone in the city to make it even more expensive and difficult for Superior Court to review this appeal. When the Council made the last-hour change to send appeals to superior court instead of hearing them themselves (claiming it was an improvement) they didn’t mention that the city would charge 78 cents per page for data sent to the court.
Even more frustrating, by using Staples, a retail store, instead of the Clerk’s office, the bill for the copying now includes sales tax which would ordinarily be exempt on public records per RCW 82.08.02525.
Excerpt from Revised Code of Washington
Demand letter for payment of Staples bill for Renton public records required by the court
This is yet another example of the city just not looking put for residents:
1) City Council refused to engage with resident for a year, claiming they couldn’t listen based on a role to hear an appeal on Logan 6.
2) City Council removed itself from the appeal role, the night before the hearing on Logan 6 (see item 1 above)
3) City Council meeting censored a sign being presented during public comments on Logan 6
4) City uses commercial business to provide written record of public hearing transcripts, many times more than the cost of providing print outs from city printing equipment.
Of course, the mayor and city administration have been zero help to residents. In fairness, city planning staff did meet upon request, but on the critical issues about the development, they deferred to the city council on policy issues.
Wow. Just wow. Can the city get away with this? This is very transparently an effort to make N. Renton residents feel pain and to deter them from a fair judgement. Will a Council member stand up for residents? 3 of them are up for re-election, now would be the time to make good on the promises they make.
From Ruth’s FB page: “My focus is working hard for safe communities, enhancing our quality of life, reducing economic burdens and improving our transportation options and our streets.” “Reducing economic burdens” — this seems like a very unnecessary economic burden.
James Alberson’s website (https://www.jamesalberson.com/ ) states: “My first term has been a time of listening, learning, and taking action—partnering with residents, community leaders, and city staff to address challenges and improve quality of life across our city.” James, take action now to PARTNER with North Renton Residents instead of allowing such an injustice to stand. Help them improve the quality of life, as they’ve been begging you for, for over 2 years!
Carmen Rivera’s election website (https://riveraforrenton.com/ ) states: “Commitment to Continued Improvement: As we move forward, I will push for even greater accessibility in city decision-making, expand community-driven initiatives, and advocate for policies that ensure every resident has a seat at the table.” Let’s see some advocacy for the N. Renton residents trying so very hard to have a seat at the table Carmen!
Ridiculous decision-making like this example of charging exorbitant rates to Renton residents are what’s making our city a less-than-quality place to live these days.
The city doesn’t care. To them we are invisible unless they want money.
When we ask questions they remain quiet hoping we will go away…..WE WON’T……
Ask for electronic delivery. Typically that’s free.
There may be a reason to ask for paper that I’m unaware of. I don’t condone the city using a service just to drive up the price.