2017-01-03 PAProsecutor’s Update
January 3, 2017
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Jackson, Eric Eisenberg, Glenn
Carter, David Fine, Janelle Kambich, Jonathan Meyer
Guest: Linda Williams
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Eric Eisenberg discussed the marijuana moratorium resolution, which had been tabled until Jan. 23,
2017. Among items the commissioners had wanted to explore: Advertising, odor control, cap on number
of licensees, excise tax plan, Urban Growth Areas (UGAs).
Eric said the resolution would make licenses subject to federal provisions.
Eric said the proposal already applies to properties located inside and outside UGAs. Eric said he created
a draft that includes the following: a cap of 10 retailers and 10 processors; an advertising limitation
similar to home-based businesses (he also talked about an FAQ from the state liquor control board that
addresses advertising); and verbiage that allows for the creation of odor control. He also discussed how
the excise tax would be distributed. He said in 2018 and 2019, the total amount the county would get
could total very roughly $134,000. He said in subsequent years, that could rise to roughly $180,000. He
said money will be spent on law enforcement, public health, etc.
Commissioner Fund said her understanding is that the county is set to receive money because Lewis
County has not prohibited marijuana.
Janelle Kambich left the meeting at 2:27 p.m. and returned at 2:28.
The group discussed the varying – and sometimes competing – rules marijuana at the federal, state, and
local levels.
Glenn Carter said the county is trying to comply with both the federal and the state laws governing
marijuana. The second part of the approach is to have a regulatory regime in place in case the federal
government relaxes its rules.
Eric said it’s likely the federal government could reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug to a
Schedule 2 to Schedule 5 drug.
At 2:47 p.m., the Board went into executive session under RCW 42.30.110 for 13 minutes to discuss
litigation. At 3:00 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 more minutes.
Executive Session ended at 3:02 p.m. No decisions were made.
The group discussed the job description for a cold case detective.
Commissioner Fund told Jonathan Meyer that she had emailed The Chronicle and asked for a correction
regarding a recent story that incorrectly suggested Jonathan had asked for a raise for himself. Jonathan
said his understanding was that the reporter was standing by his assertion that the board had said
Jonathan was asking for a raise.
Daleyn Coleman joined the meeting at 3:08 p.m.
Daleyn asked about the job description David Fine had spoken about.
Commissioner Fund left the meeting at 3:09 p.m.
Daleyn asked if the position had a time limit. Jonathan said it would be year to year.
David Fine said he used a prior County job description as a model to create the one he drafted.
Daleyn said she wanted to make sure the creation of the position 18 L. Daleyn asked about union
approval on the matter. Jonathan said the union gave its blessing about the position. Commissioner
Stamper asked if that would need to be documented. The position was presented as 69 hours monthly.
David Fine said he has written assurance from LEOFF that LEOFF had no qualms about the creation of
the position.
Jonathan said the Commissioners moved and seconded to approve the position during a December
meeting.
Commissioner Stamper said that yes, the Commissioners were approving moving forward.
Commissioner Fund returned at 3:16 p.m.
Daleyn said this position did not go through the normal third-party channel.
Commissioner Stamper asked if there would be anything else that HR would need.
Commissioner Stamper said he wouldn’t want to get into trouble with the union or the LEOFF board.
Jonathan gave a recap of the position, indicating he wants to bring in two individuals to work on cold
cases from the 1980s and 90s.
Meeting ended at 3:22 p.m.