HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works March 7 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
March 7, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Todd Donovan, and Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Rud Browne, Satpal Sidhu and Carl Weimer
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL (AB2017 -068)
Bill Elfo, County Sheriff, gave a staff report on the crime rate in Whatcom County,
the Spillman management system, the benefit of reinstating the frozen deputy position, an
increased demand for deputies to attend court hearings in the Courthouse to provide
Courthouse security, increase of methamphetamine and heroin in the community, criminal
gangs that bring crime and drugs into the community, and a grant received for outreach to
underserved and minority communities in the county.
He also reported on the corrections bureau of the Sheriff's Office, including the
commitment of the corrections officers, the dilapidated and deteriorating jail facility, jail
population controls, waiving fees for participating in jail alternative programs, paying off
fines by participating in out -of- custody work crews at a higher rate, shortening minimum
length of sentence for program eligibility, getting information from Superior Court more
quickly to evaluate people for eligibility, stationing a staff person to liaison with people
leaving the court and inform them of the availability of programs and get them an
application, pretrial home monitoring, and reviewing a jail standards ordinance.
He described the County's policy, given recent public questions about whether the
County is a sanctuary county. The County cooperates with the Department of Homeland
Security regarding criminal aliens, but does not involve County deputies in enforcing federal
civil immigration issues. The Office provides protection to all people regardless of their
immigration status.
Elfo continued his report on the emergency management division. Staffing has been
down. They are partnering with other agencies and jurisdictions.
He answered questions on whether the County is considered a sanctuary county, the
reason for lower crime statistics in the past year, lowering the cost of phone calls for
inmates, funding inmate programs that keep people from committing more crimes, and
response to a recent hate crime against the Sikh community in Kent, Washington.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 3/7/2017, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND
POSTED SPEED LIMITS IN THE MARINE DRIVE /MARIETTA AREA (FROM 2/7)
(AB2017 -062)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, submitted a map of the area (on file) and gave
a staff report on repaving Bennett Drive, the potential closure of a railroad crossing on
Country Lane, and a past request to change the speed limit in the area. He answered
questions on historic traffic patterns in the area.
Councilmembers discussed making all the speed limits in that area the same speed,
providing a safe biking route around the bridge, a railroad quiet zone, and working with the
City of Bellingham on a trail in the area.
David Stritch stated the speed limit is too high in front of his house. People in his
neighborhood would like a lower speed limit on several roads.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:16 p.m.
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Darla Brdv§ Davis, bimcil Clerk
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 3/7/2017, Page 2