CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly quoted Sumner City Attorney Brett Vinson as saying the PDC avoided getting involved in a campaign season. Vinson agrees with and affirms the decision to dismiss the complaint.

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission dismissed a complaint filed by Sumner Councilman Matt Richardson, claiming Mayor Dave Enslow, City Attorney Brett Vinson and Councilman Steve Allsop allowed council meetings to serve as a platform for Pam Roach’s Senate campaign.

During the regular council meetings of Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, Richardson claimed personal attacks were allowed against him.

At the time, he and Sen. Roach were opponents in the 31st Legislative District Senate race.

In a letter addressed to Richardson, the PDC stated that Enslow and City Administrator Diane Supler requested PDC advice regarding the city’s adherence to the Revised Code of Washington, which includes the laws regarding appropriate actions at council meetings. According to the letter, Supler contacted the PDC on Oct. 14 to verify whether statements during some council meetings could be considered campaign assistance. On Oct. 15, Enslow contacted the PDC with similar concerns.

The PDC ruled that the Sumner council did not allow inappropriate statements and is not in violation of any laws.

Richardson disagrees with the decision and planned to file an appeal with the attorney general’s office Jan. 7.

“They only addressed the Oct. 18 meeting and said nothing about the three previous meetings,” he said.

He spoke with Doug Ellis, the PDC’s interim executive director, who, according to Richardson, said he hasn’t seen the council video.

“I think they’re shirking their responsibility to the public,” Richardson said.

He said anyone who has seen the video of the council meetings knows there was campaigning occurring during the meetings.

“It was obvious. And the mayor being a public endorser of Pam Roach, broke the law and let it happen,” he said.

Vinson said he doesn’t think people are allowed to speak regarding the positive or negative characteristics of a candidate.

“I think that it’s fairly clear that if they’re talking about a campaign or a candidate promoting that candidate, you clearly can’t to that,” he said.

Vinson said the PDC made the correct decision by dismissing the complaint.

Councilmember Allsop collected rules regarding allowable discussion at meetings from different cities and circulated them to the council.

Vinson said the council plans to clarify the rules in the future.

“Had I been elected mayor this would have never happened,” Richardson said. Richardson unsuccessfully challenged Enslow for the mayor’s post in 2009.