Mayor Tim Fletcher confirmed that Brian Weekes stepped down from the Forks Planning Commission on Monday. The resignation came on the same day a Change.org petition demanding his removal was published online. In a recent email, Fletcher stated that Weekes had officially left the land use panel.

The online petition, which sought to have the city dismiss Weekes from his position, argued that his continued presence damaged the credibility of the commission. The document highlighted decades of allegations against the former Forks resident and referenced nearly $1 million in legal expenses incurred by the Quillayute Valley School District (QVSD) following a civil lawsuit. Earlier reporting established that the district ultimately paid $765,834.77 to settle that specific legal matter.

Weekes, who served as a long-term employee and former cross-country and track coach for the district, was a defendant in the case Larson v. Quillayute Valley School District. The trial took place this spring in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. On April 8, a jury determined that the district had subjected former assistant coach Kari Larson to a hostile work environment. The jurors awarded Larson $250,000 in damages under the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

The jury did not find liability against either the district or Weekes for retaliation. Additionally, the panel cleared Kyle Weakley, the Athletic Director and Title IX Coordinator, of claims regarding negligent supervision and retention. Weekes had previously denied the allegations in his legal response.

The verdict has sparked significant discussion during QVSD board meetings over the past few months. On July 28, a district alumnus currently working as a substitute and assistant cheer coach addressed the board, stating she experienced similar physical contact to that described in trial evidence. She recalled receiving a track massage after mentioning hip pain during practice. At that meeting, a local resident urged the board to finish its reopened investigation of Weekes and submit a report to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. As of that date, no final outcome had been released.

The planning commission operates independently of the school district. Established under Chapter 2.15 of the municipal code and citing Chapter 35A.63 RCW, the body consists of five voting members appointed by the mayor and city council, along with the city planner serving in an ex officio capacity. The panel drafts recommendations for the comprehensive plan, zoning codes, and critical area ordinances before they are presented to the council.

City ordinance dictates that commissioners serve six-year terms in accordance with RCW 35.63.030. This statute provides a limited mechanism for removing a sitting commissioner, requiring a finding of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, followed by a public hearing and council approval. Weekes chose to resign voluntarily rather than face this process. His exit leaves two vacancies on the panel. State law requires that seats vacated before the end of a term be filled by appointment for the remaining duration.

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