HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole March 10 1998WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee of the Whole
March 10, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Council Vice Chair Marlene Dawson in
the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Barbara Brenner None
Tom Brown
Connie Hoag
Kathy Sutter
Ward Nelson
Robert Imhof
1. DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY DAVE
MCEACHRAN AND WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER JON OSTLUND
REGARDING DRUG COURT PROPOSALS AND GRANTS (AB98 -119)
Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney =s Office, addressed this issue. He stated the
purpose of the grant is to set up an adult drug court, which deals specifically with drug addicts
and is a very intensive program. In the long term, McEachran noted his office hopes monies can
be saved, as this is an effective program that will assist the addicts in becoming useful citizens.
He then explained that Jon Ostlund, Public Defender =s Office, will be traveling to learn how to
file for this grant. The grants are for up to $200,000 for two years.
Jon Ostlund, Public Defender =s Office, addressed the issue of the usefulness of the
program. He has contacted many of Washington =s counties, and those he spoke with felt the
program did make a difference. Nationally, the statistics showed the program is effective. No
monies can be saved in the short term because the program is labor- intensive. The savings will
be in the social area. The major holdback now is convincing the court to approve the program,
which must be done before filing for the grant.
Discussion topics included dismissed charges upon completion of the program and a limit
to the number of times an addict can enter this program. Ostlund stated the prosecutor is the
gatekeeper. McEachran stated prescription drug addicts would be ideal candidates for this
program, which is 18 months in length. He explained dismissed charges and noted that violent
offenders and sellers are excluded from this program. Whatcom County can apply for either a
planning or an implementation grant, which would probably be a planning grant, as a program
must be fairly well defined in order to apply for an implementation grant.
Discussion continued. Topics discussed included alcohol addiction and the process of
COTW Minutes, 2/24/98, Page 1
the treatment program. It was noted either a Superior Court judge or a commissioner could
preside at drug court. Further discussion followed with an explanation of the Areward- process,
noting that the judge establishes a personal relationship with the addicts; the attorneys are not
directly involved with discussions. Questions followed regarding funding and stats on the
normal prosecution rate.
Imhof noted there was support for this grant and requested the attorneys develop a plan
and update Council.
Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office, requested specific direction from Council regarding
this issue.
Dawson moved approval to seek the grant.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. DISCUSSION WITH SENIOR DEPUTY PROSECUTOR KAREN FRAKES
REGARDING POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT ON LITIGATION (AB98 -020)
Dawson moved to go into executive session.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7 p.m.
Dana Brown - Davis, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Robert Imhof, Council Chair
COTW Minutes, 2/24/98, Page 2