Medical Lake discusses legal action against the state

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Medical Lake City Council breezed through a quick agenda, as well as discussed the possibility of the city pursuing legal action against the state.

In 2014, Mayor John Higgins spoke with legislators and representatives from the state institutions about funding for policing services for the city and the state institutions. The city has also written letters to elected officials and the Washington state Attorney General’s office about the issue.

“In our letters we indicated that a lack of movement on the part of legislators would precipitate into a lawsuit,” City Administrator Doug Ross said.

The city of Medical Lake has had a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for policing services since its own police department dissolved years ago. When Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich gave his crime report to the city, he explained that many of the human-to-human crimes such as assaults come from the state institutions. Ross said Spokane County does not differentiate between the crimes that happen at the hospitals versus what happens in the city.

“We’re currently working with the county to separate those statistics,” Ross said.

The state institutions also receive many fire and emergency calls from the city. In 2014, 94 calls — including 35 cancels and 24 alarm activations — went to the state hospitals. Councilman Art Kulibert asked about billing for EMS calls. Ross said it’s something they could pursue down the road.

Ross and City Attorney Cynthia McMullen said they may research different legal avenues the city can go to pursue a lawsuit.

“Just saying ‘it’s not fair’ isn’t enough,” Ross said.

While the issue pertains to policing services at the state institutions, Ross made it clear that the city is not going to sue Eastern State Hospital.

“We don’t want this to come from Eastern State Hospital’s budget,” Ross said. “This is a line item that the state should provide (to the city).”

In other business:

● The council approved a renewal contract with the Airway Heights Police Department and the Washington State Department of Corrections to use the city’s firing range.

● Ross announced he would be filling in as the city’s code enforcement officer for 2-6 months.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].