Staff Report_L&J Mission and ByLaw Amendments_Resolution to Ratify-Approve

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Kittitas County Prosecutor Agenda Staff Report AGENDA DATE: December 21, 2021 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution to Ratify and Approve the amended Mission Statement and By-Laws of the Kittitas County Law and Justice Council. BACKGROUND: The Kittitas County Law and Justice Council amended its Mission Statement and Bylaws. This amendment was accepted by the Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 17, 2021. The amendments include drafting a more succinct Mission Statement and creating the Goals section (which was previously listed as the Mission Statement). The By-Laws have also incorporated changes in the appointment and term of the Chair and Co-Chair of the Committee. Changes also incorporate compliance with the Open Public Meetings act when scheduling and conducting meetings for the Council. Amending the By-Laws now require notice to the Council and the Public at least ten (10) days prior to final consideration of the amendment(s) and the required majority vote needed to successfully approve the amendment(s). The amendments also include the creation of a Youth Mentoring & Prevention Committee which will coordinate the relationship between criminal-justice and community-based agencies who will work together to improve mental wellbeing and school engagement to decrease youth suicide, substance use, and gang affiliation by partnering and supporting programs in the community to mentor and positively impact youth outcomes. The Law and Justice Council will work to develop this Committee to best address the scope of work as determined by the Council. A defense and indemnity clause has been added indicating that Kittitas County will defend and indemnify Committee members as provided for Kittitas County Code Title 2.73. INTERACTION: The Council has worked to make these changes and improvements for the benefit of the communities in Kittitas County. The Council has recommended these amendments and approved these amendments of the Mission Statement and By-Laws to be ratified by the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to Ratify and Approve the amended Mission Statement and By-Laws of the Kittitas County Law and Justice Council. HANDLING: Please send original to the Prosecutor’s Office to the attention of Angela Bugni to have the original amendment signed by the Law and Justice Council Chair and Co-Chair, as well as the executed Resolution. LEAD STAFF: Angela Bugni