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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1990 Adjourned Meeting 38 ADJOURNED MEETING JANUARY 16, 1990 On January 16, 1990, at 10:00 A.M. the City Council, City and County staff members, County. Commissioners, local law enforcement officers and Drug Enforcement Agency representatives met with government officials to discuss the drug problems of the Yakima Valley. City Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims, along with City Manager Zais, Chief of Police, Pleas Green, and Deputy City Clerk Toney. County Commissioners Alex Deccio, Charles Klarich, and Graham Tollefson, County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Sullivan, Sheriff Doug Blair, and the Director of Planning and Special Projects, Dick Anderwald were present. Governor Booth Gardner and Paul Dziedzic of Olympia were also in attendance. Mayor Berndt called the meeting to order and welcomed Governor Gardner and Paul Dziedzic to Yakima for the purpose of discussing the critical needs of the Yakima Valley due to its unique drug problem. A brief and informative video outlining the problems and the actions taken thus far to combat the drug trafficking was viewed prior to comments and discussion. Following the video presentation City and County officials responded to inquiries from Governor Gardner and Mr. Dziedzic regarding the current situation and the associated need to resolve the matter. Discussion occurred regarding the increase in the number of arrests resulting in the overcrowding of the County Jail, the need for a regional facility, the excessive amount of time involved in processing the cases through the judicial system due to the lack of prosecutors and support staff, the costs involved in providing indigent defense, etc. County Prosecutor Sullivan stated in terms of jail space, the Department of Corrections needs to review this issue. He said when the residential burglary law is implemented in July, there will not be sufficient room in the County Jail to house local offenders. Mr. Sullivan applauded the Omnibus Drug Bill stating Yakima has taken the position that if an individual deals drugs within 1000 feet of a school or school bus stop, those offenses are non plea bargainable unless there are some legal problems involved. This type of an approach will result in a sentence of 52 months for a first offense, regardless of the amount of drugs involved, and'such sentencing will create a greater need for bed space in the County Jail. Prosecutor Sullivan emphasized the need for additional funding to process the cases through the legal system. He explained that direct financial assistance is needed to follow through on the mandates coming out of Olympia. Governor Gardner stated the entire issue is locating the financial resources to pass along to local government on a continuing basis. City Manager Zais indicated the drug problem requires State and local funding assistance to resolve the issue. He stated Senator Brock Adams is asking that this area be determined a high zone drug trafficking area in order that Yakima may qualify for federal funding. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) official Bob Dreisbach, stated his office has insufficient manpower to help support the enforcement effort. His office is currently comprised of four Washington State Patrolmen, two Yakima Police Officers and two Yakima County Sheriff's Deputies which cover the central eleven counties in Washington State. He said when he came to Yakima to establish his office he did not expect to encounter the extensive drug. trafficking problem and has been overwhelmed by the situation. He said there have been occasions when arrests have been curtailed due to the lack of jail space. Chief Green commented that it is extremely important that the accountability of the criminal justice system be restored due to the level of citizen frustration. He said if this is not addressed, vigilante groups will begin to surface to deal with the situation. City Manager Zais stated the community has made the drug problem its number one priority and has made some progress, however, we can't do it alone; State and Federal funds are needed to help fight the war on drugs. 390 JANUARY 16, 1990 ADJOURNED MEETING Governor Gardner thanked everyone for taking „time to meet with him today. He commented that the video was very helpful in bringing the problem into proper perspective for him. It was MOVED BY'BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ADJOURN UNTIL 2 :30 P.M. TO THE REGULAR' COUNCIL MEETING. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: ' 1 - l f OUNCIL M �i FIBER , DA •UNCIL M % R DAT ATTEST: • C40 &.0)04 dr DEPUTY CITY CLERK MAYOR • Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Barbara J. Toney, CMC. • • • • • • 2 •