Since he was appointed in June 2022, Richland Mayor Pro Tem Shayne VanDyke has been remote or absent from 32% of the twice monthly general meetings. He has the most no-shows’ of any councilmember in the Tri-Cities. He’s allowed to comment remotely, an opportunity also provided to the public in every other city in the area except Richland.
According to emails and text messages obtained by the Observer through the Washington Public Records Act, to appear remotely at a Richland City Council meeting VanDyke may send a one-word text or email, “Remote.” Sometimes staff sends him a correspondence that reads, “Live or remote?”
Richland restricts public comments to two minutes and only allows them twice a month, the most restrictive comment schedule in the Tri-Cities.
A comparison of opportunities for community participation at Tri-Cities city council meetings.
Pasco — 3 minutes to comment at multiple times during general meetings, workshop opportunities once per item for eight minutes total. Remote comments allowed.
Kennewick — 3 minutes to comment, once per general meeting for 30 minutes total, write in only for workshops. Remote comments allowed
West Richland — 3 minutes to comment at multiple times during a general meeting, the city has no workshops. Remote comments allowed
Richland — 2 minutes to comment once at a general meeting, not allowed at workshops, no remote comments allow.
No councilmembers responded to questions about the restrictions.
The Observer wrote each member of the Richland City Council and asked them if they would be willing to allow 3-minute comments and remote comments like the other cities have. No one responded.
VanDyke’s seemingly backhand responses to commenters
VanDyke’s seemingly backhand response to commenters implies that they don’t show up enough or that they don’t show up for matters he considers more important.
Last Tuesday he said:
“We appreciate community involvement. We don’t see that enough, of people that come and care, and we really do genuinely appreciate you coming and caring. Thank you,” he told the group of people were attending the meeting to speak for their allotted two minutes about the proposed data center.
When the council discussed a letter regarding athletes at their May 6, 2025, meeting VanDyke told commenters:
“It is so wonderful to see so many people out here. It is interesting at times when no one shows up and there are important issues that need to be discussed including large expenditures in the city.”
July 7 will be the next time to comment in Richland.
Richland City Council will meet next on July 7 at Richland City Hall, at 625 Swift Street. The meeting can be streamed from Richland City View, or seen on Cable Channel 192. Videos of the meeting have usually been available on Richland City View the next day.
The residents of Richland ARE your employer…. all of you need to show up for work or turn in your notice….
Hi Unadulterated, I appreciate your comment. Other cities have limitations on how often a councilmember can appear remotely and also how many at once. None of our local cities do, but they don’t have as many instances of it either. Richland leads in absences and remote attendance and has fewer meetings than Pasco and Kennewick. Thank you for reading the Observer. Randy
It would be nice if Council member actually being paid to show up did so, especially since he wants others to attend despite such severe limitations on their participation
Hi Janet, I haven’t even considered the cost for staff to set up his remote time. If there is a cost, maybe his salary should be docked accordingly. Thank you for reading the Observer. Randy
Council pay is $16752 annually without benefits 32% of that is $5360.64
randy, thank you for laying this out so clearly. its infuriating but not a surprise-they make it nearly impossible for us to speak, they turn around and say we dont show up. Vandyke can text “remote” and be excused, but we have to BEG for 2 mins in person??? the HYPOCRISY is staggering. keep exposing, we need more eyes on how our own council is shutting us out..
Hi Constance, I appreciate your comment. Thank you for reading the Observer. Randy