HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Meeting October 28 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Council Meeting
October 28, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
INTRODUCTION
Absent:
Alvin Starkenburg
Kathy Sutter
Robert Imhof
ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 1998 WHATCOM COUNTY UNIFIED FEE
SCHEDULE (AB97 -367)
2. ORDINANCE REPEALING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 9.04.030 PROHIBITING
PUBLIC CARD ROOMS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY
(AB97 -331 A)
Brown moved to accept the introduction items.
Motion carried unanimously.
A citizen asked to address the Council.
The Council agreed to a brief open session.
Doug Robertson, 2605 Sunset Drive: He requested Council continue with the public
process and allow the general public to comment on recycling every step of the way (AB97 -
153).
There was discussion.
Rodney Lund, President, Alliance for the Mentally Ill: He addressed the criminalization
of those with brain disorders and other mental illnesses. Lund stated he had pointed out to the
Blue Ribbon Panel on Criminal Justice that approximately 17% of the jail population is suffering
from serious major mental illness. Within any of the recommendations or presentations on
Criminal Justice, he has not seen any forthcoming concerns; however, he does not feel it is a lack
of awareness. One of the ideas from Administration was an alternative triage center.
Special Public Works Minutes, 10/28/97, Page
One of his concerns was the managed care mental health system in that monies will be
tight and efficiencies are necessary and need to be found. Recently, there has been a significant
decrease in the state hospital census, from approximately 1,700 beds to approximately 1,300
beds. This has occurred since the formation of the Regional Sound Network (RSN). He cited an
article written by a national psychiatric expert who stated it was time for a moratorium on
deinstitutionalization due to lack of community services for support of those who were being
diverted from hospitals. This trend continues with pressures to further reduce the census.
Many of these people are being reinstitutionalized by being placed in the Department of
Corrections or in the local County jails.
His Alliance was encouraged by the recognition from Mental Health and Criminal Justice
that there is a problem and perhaps things can be done that might make a difference. He
encouraged the formation of a task force to pursue this option or other options that might
alleviate this situation. The people involved in this reinstitutionalization include those with
developmental disabilities and traumatic head injury. For lack of treatment or early intervention,
they find themselves incarcerated.
Regarding Lake Whatcom Center, Lund stated this is a simple solution only and not the
alternative being sought. The facility is not designed nor prepared for the undertaking of care of
those with more intensive needs. Caseload size has doubled over the last two years, and staffing
is inadequate. There is no security offered; this is a totally voluntary Center.
Since the formation in 1984 of his Alliance, the issues have not changed that much.
Attending to those most severely ill individuals slipping through the cracks who do not meet the
criteria for hospital detention and who do not fit into community services is an outstanding gap
in the current selection of regional services. Despite RSN's recognizing there is a problem and
discussing the issue, he felt the fact is that many who slip through the cracks are either part of the
jail or the homeless populations.
There was extensive discussion on the issue of mental illness. In answer to a question
regarding the jail population being mentally ill, Lund stated the current reason why these people
are in jail is the threshold to enter the hospital on a legal civil commitment is not a medical but a
legal decision. The definition of triage was discussed. Lund stated he felt if the threshold for
civil commitment and hospitalization was not as high as it currently is- -which is not immediately
going to change -- probably people would receive medical care but, because that gate to get into
involuntary treatment is so high, the behaviors that are manifestations of these illnesses lead
people to law enforcement. Further, Lund stated there are people being jailed for nonviolent
misdemeanors. Nelson pointed out this was with conditions, as it is recognized there is a mental
health condition present and this is the only means of obtaining help as a first step. Lund wanted
to encourage dialogue among the different agencies and jurisdictions to find solutions to reduce
the suffering and injustice.
ADJOURN
Special Public Works Minutes, 10/28/97, Page 2
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Dana Brown- Davis, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by Council on 11997.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Council Chair
Special Public Works Minutes, 10/28/97, Page 3