HomeMy WebLinkAboutCriminal Justice April 23 20191
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee
April 23, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, and Carol Frazey
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Rud Browne, and Satpal Sidhu
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. AB2019-043 DISCUSSION/UPDATE ON PROPOSED ORDINANCE REPEALING
AND REPLACING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 1.28, STANDARDS FOR
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
Buchanan reported on the discussion of this item at the Incarceration Prevention and
Reduction Task Force (IPRTF).
Liz Gallery, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, gave a staff report on the history of
corrections standards requirements. County Code allows suspension of the standards
during periods of overcrowding, which occurred for quite some time. The request is for the
Council to consider allowing the current standards in the code to continue to be suspended
while they consider how to restructure the corrections standards.
The following staff answered questions:
• Bill Elfo, County Sheriff
• Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections
• Jeff Parks, Undersheriff
Councilmembers and staff discussed the Sheriff's ability to suspend standards during
periods of overcrowding, transparency of policies, and appropriate Whereas statements for
an ordinance to suspend the guidelines.
Byrd moved to suspend the current requirements for the next twelve months or
until the committee can update the guidelines.
Staff stated they would bring forward an ordinance in two weeks for Introduction
that would allow the Council to temporarily suspend the guidelines.
Byrd amended and restated his motion to request the Prosecutor's Office bring
forward an ordinance in two weeks that would temporarily suspend the current
requirements and adopt the current operation manuals for the next twelve months or until
the committee can update the guidelines.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, 4/23/2019, Page 1
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Buchanan, Byrd, and Frazey (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.
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Dana :gown ilk (C u`ncil Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, 4/23/2019, Page 2