Black Diamond Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem Erika Morgan Censured by Council

By Kathleen Kear

Surprise came to the Thursday, April 21, Black Diamond City Council Meeting, when Councilmember Janie Edelman moved to have fellow Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem Erika Morgan censured.

The move came with a 40 page document, 32 of which are still photos taken from a video camera that captured Morgan appearing to have a conversation with Kristen Bryant after Morgan, by herself, walked out of an Executive Session in progress with Councilmembers. According to the Censure document, when Black Diamond resident Robbin Taylor requested the information that had been disclosed in the hallway out of sight around a corner from a number of people gathered in a hallway, Morgan responded in an email that she went into the toilet and might have said hi to Bryant, but that was all.

She continued her stance at the Council’s April 7th meeting by stating “I still stand by my statements before. I can’t help it if you don’t believe me. What you do is what you do.”

As Edelman read the “Whereas” statements, an approximate 2 minute video of Morgan and Bryant was shown to all in attendance at the April 21st Council meeting. Shortly thereafter, Edelman called for the censure of Morgan “for giving false information in response to a request for disclosure of public records, refusing to admit during the April 7th Council Meeting that the information in her response was false, and refusing to disclose the information discussed with Ms. Bryant.”

The Censure document further warned Morgan that she was put on notice that she may be suspended from her leadership positions on the Council should the offenses be repeated. Along with the warning came supporting RCW’s 42.23.070(4) and 42.30.050. When the vote was taken, it was split with Councilmembers Edelman and Tamie Deady voting “Yes” and Councilmembers Brian Weber and Pat Pepper voting “No.” Morgan attempted to vote no, however, was told that since she was the subject to the censure she was not allowed to vote. Breaking the tie was Mayor Carol Benson, who voted “Yes” for censure.