Loading...
2017-05-16 Prosecutor Update DRAFTProsecutor’s Update May 16, 2017 2:04 p.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Judge J.P. Anderson, Judge J.W. Lawler, Judge Joely O’Rourke, Shane O’Rourke, Danette York, Janelle Kambich, Jonathan Meyer, Archie Smith, Eric Eisenberg, David Fine, Glenn Carter, Amy Hanson, Matt Matayoshi Guests: Sharyn Decker and Justyna Tomtas Recorder: Rieva Lester Jonathan Meyer said a Family Recovery Court is required by RCW if the county is going to collect the one-tenth of 1 percent. Judge Lawler said there have been several meeting regarding Family Recovery Court. He said efforts are targeted at bringing the AG’s office and CPS along. Judge Anderson said the group has discussed potential start dates during recent meetings. Judges Joley O’Rourke, Lawler, and Anderson left at 2:10 p.m. Glenn Carter discussed a letter received from Bill Fashing regarding the Council of Governments (COG). He said Bill Fashing indicated he did not want to mediate. Glenn said the federal agency has indicated there are problems that need to be addressed concerning COG. Matt Matayoshi said he had spoken with Jacob at EDA. Jacob indicated that Lewis County doesn’t need to be a part of an economic district. Rather, Jacob said, the county would need to complete Community Economic Development Survey (CEDS) annually to continue to apply for funding. Matt said the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) falls under the umbrella of COG. Matt said he believes the process can be streamlined. Matt said Mike Kroll receives money from the RTPO, which receives its money from the Department of Transportation (DOT). Matt said he would ask Jacob to write a letter to the county confirming the information. Glenn discussed having the CEDS list headed by the EDC. Jonathan discussed a dog that was declared dangerous. He said the owner had the opportunity to follow the requirements of the Dangerous Dog. He said those things were not done, and the county then took possession. He said the dog was not euthanized. He said it was believed the dog was incorrectly deemed dangerous. He said the animal shelter changed the dog’s name from Tank to Hank and adopted the dog out. He asked the sheriff’s office to investigate and to retrieve the dog. He said the dog escaped from the new owner, who eventually gave it to a family member. The family member then voluntarily turned the dog in. Jonathan said the woman who adopted the dog is angry. He said the woman who turned the dog in was encouraged to provide a list of expenses. He said he may recommend charges being filed against a county employee. Eric Eisenberg said he was contacted in September that they still had Tank. He said he gave advice that there was no avenue other than to euthanize a dog deemed dangerous. Eric said that once you declare a dog dangerous, there is nothing else provided for other than to euthanize. Jonathan said the dog’s name was changed and the true nature of the dog was hidden. Jonathan said whether the dog should have been declared dangerous is a moot procedural point. Jonathan said the dog was adopted under false pretenses, making the standard waiver null and void. He said the dog bit someone after it was adopted out and escaped. Jonathan said the woman has identified bills totaling $3,000. Jonathan said he is contemplating asking another county to review the case to see whether the PA’s office should press charges. He said the appearance of fairness dictates that he seek outside assistance. He said he suspects an answer by the end of the next week. He said the immediate questions revolve around what to do with the dog and whether to pay the adoptive family. Jonathan said the dog arrived at the shelter July 1 and was adopted in January. Matt left at 2:41 p.m. Eric gave an overview of how a dog is deemed dangerous and the RCW and county statutes governing the process. Jonathan said his view is that the dog needs to be euthanized. Glenn echoed those sentiments, citing the county’s potential liability. Shane O’Rourke discussed the physical possession of the dog. Eric discussed the goat death that led to the dog’s dangerous dog declaration. He said the hearing was held, a warrant was issued, and then the county took possession of the dog and cited the woman who owned it. Jonathan said that under no circumstances should the name have been changed. Shane said his understanding was that the effort to change the ordinance was to save that particular dog. He said his understanding was that the dog was called Tank or Hank at the shelter. Eric said Shane was correct that the hope was to change the procedure in time to save that particular dog. David Fine discussed future ordinances regarding the BOCC’s agendas. Danette, Shane and Amy Hanson left at 2:54 p.m. David said his hope is to create an ordinance addressing the agenda changes. David described the differences between ordinances, resolutions, and decisions made in minutes. Commissioner Fund said she’d like to get input from MRSC and the state auditor’s office before creating anything. David said the board could give the BOCC chair the authority to approve proclamations, etc. Jonathan discussed his budget. He said nearly his entire office, in essence, is an unfunded mandate. He said that in his budget of roughly $3.1 million, $2.5 million is unfunded. Jonathan said the new attorney position is being advertised. Archie Smith said the PDR position is in second interviews. Jonathan said the dog is back at the animal shelter. Meeting ended at 3:08 p.m.