2018-03-27-minutes-special-meeting-with-deborah-robinson

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03/27/2018 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY 11:00 A.M. MARCH 27, 2018 Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice-Chairman Obie O’Brien and Commissioner Paul Jewell. Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Lisa Young, HR Director; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager; Nick Henderson, Coroner; Clay Myers, Undersheriff; and Deborah Robinson, Infant Death Investigation Specialist. SPECIAL MEETING CORONER’S OFFICE COMMISSIONERS At 11:00 a.m. Chairman Osiadacz opened a Special Meeting to meet with Deborah Robinson, Infant Death Investigation Specialist. Ms. Deborah Robinson said she is a resident in the Upper County as well as an Infant Death Investigation Specialist. She explained she has an interest in serving on a Board which could help provide guidance and oversight to the Coroner’s office. She expressed concerns relating to the chain of evidence, body recovery, body storage, mandatory autopsies, bereavement services and lack of support Staff for the Coroner. She felt Mr. Henderson is doing a great job, but the Coroner’s office cannot continue as a one person office. Ms. Robinson offered to assist in trying to find State and Federal Grant funding opportunities for the Coroner’s office which could help bring it into compliance. She suggested having the Washington State Association of Coroner’s & Medical Examiners audit the office to show the County what needs to be done to maintain the essential service of the Coroner. Clay Myers, Undersheriff, provided information on the joint efforts between Law Enforcement and Coroner’s office when dealing with death investigations, etc. The Board explained to Ms. Robinson that it would be up to the Coroner to create an advisory committee if he felt it was warranted to oversee his office. There was discussion on the initial recommendations from the committee who helped create the Coroner’s office once the population of Kittitas County hit the 40,000 threshold and became a requirement to have the elected office. If the Coroner decides to form an advisory committee it will be up to him and the Commissioner’s office could assist in the process to set it up. The Board expressed their appreciation to Ms. Robinson for her interest in the Coroner’s office. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.