HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole March 13 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
March 13, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 12:32 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken
Mann, Pete Kremen and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN THE EVENT OF
MEETING INTERRUPTION (AB2012 -120) (12:32:27 PM)
Kershner stated this meeting is to discuss what the Council may want to do in the
event of future meeting disruptions.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of a disturbing email he received from
someone asking if they have to go through metal detectors to go to the Council meetings.
Mann stated:
• Leaving the room to not give people an audience to that behavior.
• Staying in the room as authority figures and to witness the actions.
Crawford asked about whether people who disrupt meetings can be prevented from
attending future meetings.
Kershner asked about:
• Using the metal detector security system to enter Council meetings.
• Leaving the sound system on and putting the video camera on the group to
provide evidence of the activity.
• Using the existing panic buttons.
Weimer stated and there was discussion of the frustration of being disruptive instead
of being cooperative.
Kremen stated don't video record and telecast the disruptive behavior. He prefers
that they not use the metal detectors at this time. He asked about having one or two
deputies attend the meeting.
Brenner stated she agrees with Councilmember Kremen that disruptive meeting
attendees should not be filmed. Don't allow those who organize such disruptive behavior
back into the meetings.
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/13/2012, Page 1
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Knutzen asked what the Council can do when it feels threatened.
The following people answered questions:
• Bill Elfo, Sheriff
• Dave McEachran, Prosecutor
• Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department
Elfo stated deputies should not be the ones who decide who is out of order. Council
can rule who is out of order and ask them to leave. If they don't leave, it constitutes
disorderly conduct. Establish a process first. Asking deputies to attend every Council
meeting is a funding issue. The deputies can respond when someone is asked to leave.
McEachran stated it is a disorderly conduct misdemeanor to intentionally disrupt a
lawful meeting. Established a process. Give a warning first. If the behavior continues, ask
them to leave. Filming the incident would be good for evidence to convict. People cannot
be prohibited from future meetings unless they have been convicted of the crime. The
Court could condition and enforce a prohibition from future meetings through a court order.
A surveillance camera would help him to identify the responsible individual.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether Lynn Barton's recording can be
edited to remove the disruption when the meeting is broadcast.
Elfo stated the security guards are only under contract to monitor the screening
process for people entering the courthouse. They have no authority to arrest people or take
them in to custody.
Russell stated and there was discussion of the response from pushing panic button
versus calling 9 -1 -1.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of pressing charges for the most recent
incident.
McEachran stated editing the video recording would create a situation of altering a
public document. Installing a surveillance camera is a good idea.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about the cost of installing surveillance
cameras.
Brenner moved to ask the administration to investigate the possibility of installing
surveillance cameras to monitor activities in the Council chambers.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner stated she would like to press charges against the one person who
organized the most recent disruption. McEachran stated the Council doesn't need to vote
on that.
Kershner stated she will work with the Clerk to come up with a process for handling
future disruptions, which may include ruling individuals out of order and asking them to stop
the disruption.
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/13/2012, Page 2
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Lynn Barton, Barton Productions, stated it is up to the County, not her, to deal with
public safety issues. She doesn't agree with editing the film.
Kremen stated he suggests that whenever there is a disruption, the Chair would
gavel the meeting to adjourn immediately and announce that the meeting will continue
when proper decorum can be restored. Everyone should walk out in unison when a
disruption occurs. It's not the Council's job to protect. Don't provide an audience for
disruptive behavior.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of all councilmembers leaving as long as the
staff is allowed to leave, too.
Mann stated and there was discussion of whether the Council's presence may
prevent a disruption from escalating into something more violent.
The following people spoke:
• Greg Brown described his perspective of the meeting disruption. He agrees with
installing a surveillance camera. Don't put the disruption on television.
• Wendy Harris described her perspective of the meeting disruption. She is in favor
of using the panic button. The Sheriff's Office handled the disruption well and
appropriately. She is concerned about the Council's intent to prosecute those in
the Occupy movement without also prosecuting Mr. Greg Brown, who physically
accosted the audience member who tried to video record the disruption.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:19 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on April 10, 2012.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/13/2012, Page 3