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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCriminal Justice Jan 23 2024Whatcom County Council Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Committee Minutes - Final Tuesday, January 23, 2024 1:30 PM Hybrid Meeting HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 1:50 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010) COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Jon Scanlon CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council Criminal Justice and Public Committee Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 Safety Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in a hybrid meeting. Present: 3 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, and Jon Scanlon Also Present: Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, and Mark Stremler Announcements Committee Discussion }, A B 02 -0 6 Discussion of the Justice Project Oversight Planning (JPOP) Committee under the Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force per the Justice Project Implementation Plan Councilmembers discussed the following groups: • Justice Project Oversight Planning (JPOP) Committee • Finance Advisory Board with the following people: • Jill Nixon, Council Office Staff • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Justice Project Oversight Planning (JPOP) Committee Buchanan briefed the Councilmembers and stated that the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) Steering Committee and the IPRTF (main task force) had consensus that the JPOP should be a subcommittee of the IPRTF but the membership should be appointed by the Council. Nixon read from the "Membership List Updated" document (on file) which talks about how members of the JPOP and the Finance Advisory Board should be appointed. It does not, however, talk about terms so she will need their guidance to determine that. She answered what was decided regarding the tribes' appointments and stated they will need to reach out to them to ask them to participate. She stated the other thing the Council could let her know is whether they would like to recruit other small city representatives other than the small city elected representatives on the IPRTF. W tatcom County page I Council Criminal Justice and Public Committee Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 Safety Committee Councilmembers and the speakers discussed how many people will be on this sub -committee, that Nixon is looking at the implementation plan projects and tasks and how they fit in to the committee structure, whether people can be on a subcommittee without being on the task force, whether the small city positions should be filled by representatives already on the IPRTF as opposed to adding new people, a recommendation for staggered terms of two and three years so they do not all expire at the same time, and how the City of Ferndale should be and is already involved as they think about siting and planning. Schroeder stated they have already sat down with the City of Ferndale on the construction side of things and maybe the Finance Advisory Board would be a place where Ferndale could more actively participate. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated the involvement of Ferndale on the construction and permitting part of this project is a totally different subset and Buchanan stated it is separate and it is not. The IPRTF's job is to make sure that the implementation plan is followed and implemented. Councilmembers discussed whether there are people who might be on the POP who have experience or expertise in what they will be tasked with. Nixon asked if she has permission to post for these positions and Councilmembers concurred that she does. Finance Advisory Board Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, went over the membership list for this committee and stated the last permanent position on the list (one municipal law enforcement representative) needs some discussion on whether they should appoint one or two people. He answered if he has a time that he would like these appointments to go out, and stated they could go out with the POP appointments. Councilmembers and staff discussed the small city positions and whether having more small city mayors on the group would be beneficial, if the Administration has been able to sit down with the mayors to get their feedback on whether or not they want seats on the board, and whether a financial expert such as the county treasurer should be on the board. Schroeder stated he talked to the mayors of Lynden and Ferndale about the Whatcom County Page 2 Council Criminal Justice and Public Committee Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 Safety Committee agreements with the small cities but did not specifically ask the mayors whether they want all seven of them represented or whether one is enough. The agreements will, however, be signed by all the cities. As far as a finance expert, he stated the County's finance manager, treasurer, and deputy treasurer have all been providing input on the financial agreement as kind of a work group but are not officially recognized in the ordinance. Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, asked when they will discuss staffing for the group and Buchanan stated that will be later. Schroeder stated he will work with Nixon to reach out to one representative from municipal law enforcement. They can have some conversations with them about whether they see value in having two representatives, but currently the ordinance is written as one. This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision Other Business Adjournment There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m. ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Barry Buchanan -via email 1/26/2024 Dana Brown -Davis, Council Clerk Barry Buchanan, Committee Chair AAjUul. RQoinaul Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription ption w1atcom County Page 3