BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A stand-off over workplace conditions at its Municipal Court has led the City of Bellingham to consider abolishing the court altogether.
The City Council passed a resolution allowing the mayor to begin negotiations with the county to have its courts hear city cases if the Municipal Court were to be terminated.
The council discussed the issue in executive session but member Michael Lilliquist told Monday night’s public meeting that it’s a back-up plan.
“I just want to say that I never thought we’d get here and I hope we don’t ever get here,” said Lilliquist. “The way we discussed this, we need to make sure we have contingency plans in place to make sure people get their day in court in a timely and speedy basis.”
Municipal Court workers walked off the job in May over what they say is a toxic workplace created by Judge Debra Lev and court managers.
Mayor Seth Fleetwood launched an independent investigation of the court that found the workers’ complaints were credible.
Judge Lev has challenged the legality of the investigation, saying it violated the separation of the city’s executive and judicial branches.
A Skagit County judge issued an injunction against the investigation on June 4th which prevents the mayor from taking action against any personnel because of its findings.