‘Explain why it’s taken so long’: Ursula calls for dissolving KCRHA after public records allegations

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s (KCRHA) public records officer resigned after saying agency leaders restricted her access to emails and screened records before she could review them. Brianne Bagby told The Seattle Times that emails belonging to CEO Kelly Kinnison were removed from search results in at least one instance; the authority denied improperly limiting disclosure.

The report prompted co-host Ursula Reutin to renew her call to dismantle the agency during “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, while co-host Gee Scott asked officials to explain why it remains open.

“I think the chances for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority have been given way too much,” Ursula said. “It was time a while back to dismantle it.”

Dembowski reiterates support for closing the agency

Ursula read a statement that King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski sent to the show after being invited to discuss the agency.

“This is yet another indication that KCRHA needs to be shut down, and I think we are headed that way. But some folks want to move a little more slowly as they manage federal grant applications,” Dembowski said in the statement. “The core of services will be returning to Seattle and King County, and the agency will dramatically downsize as a result, but I will continue to push to close it, and I believe it will be closed.”

Ursula expressed hope that the agency would ultimately close.

“I hope that is the truth. I know [Dembowski] is telling the truth, but I hope it’s the truth that it gets shut down,” Ursula said.

Gee asks for details about the delay

Gee asked for someone involved in the process to explain which obligations prevent an immediate shutdown.

“Can we get someone to come on and say, ‘Look, Gee, Ursula, I know you guys want things shut down, but this is why we are moving slowly, and this is why we are not closing it down because of these grant applications’?” Gee said. “Specifically, let us know. That way, there’s no guessing. That’s all that I was trying to say, and I’ve been trying to say.”

Gee described conversations he has had with people about the agency’s future.

“This is one topic that the conversations that I’ve had, and some people who have not gone on record to say that they want it closed down, as he has, they want it closed down,” Gee said. “I have never had a conversation with someone off the record that wants it to continue, or on the record.”

Both hosts seek an explanation for taxpayers

Ursula had described concerns about interrupting funding to service providers during a transition, and Gee asked for a public explanation of those concerns and the steps that remain.

“Maybe I need to better understand. If I need to better understand, then taxpayers need to better understand, people listening to this show need to better understand,” Gee said. “So come on the show and help us understand.”

Ursula said the show would continue seeking someone to address those questions.

“We will continue to find that person who can best explain it and also best explain why it’s taken so long,” Ursula said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.