HomeMy WebLinkAboutFelony Prosecutor Project Toward Safety&Justice 111:Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Coordination through Co-location of a Felonry Prosecutor Project
The City of Seattle TIuman Services Department,Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Prevention Unit enters into a Memorandum of Understanding("MOU") as a collaborative
partner with the following agencies: King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, City of Algona,
Auburn City Attorney's Office, City of Burien, City of Des Moines, Federal Way City
Attorney's Office, City of North Bend, Renton City Attorney's Office,City of Tukwila, and the
SeaTac City Attorney's Office.
The above mentioned partner agencies have come together to collaborate and complete an
application for the fiscal Year 2013 Office of Violence Against Women Grant to Encourage
Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program ("Arrest Program").
The agencies.have agreed to enter.into a collaborative agreement in which the City of Seattle
Human Services Department is the lead agency and.named,applicant and the other agencies will
be partners in this application.
These agencies desire to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth the services to
be provided by the collaborative.
The application prepared and approved by the collaborative is to be submitted to the Office on
Violence Against Women("OVW")on or before March 25, 2013.
I. Description of Partner Agencies
The'City of Seattle, Human Services Department, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Prevention Unit works across all City departments to coordinate Seattle's response to domestic
violence, and is the Arrest Program applicant. The City of Seattle Human Services Department
DVSAP is a lead agency on regional efforts to address victim safety and offender accountability,
improve coordination across systems, and support community-based agencies as service
providers.
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Domestic Violence Unit, established in 2000,
prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases in unincorporated King County and all felony
domestic violence cases in the county as well as coordinates the county's protection orders for
domestic violence.victims. The DV Unit also staffs a regional domestic violence task force, the
Domestic Violence Initiative, led by the elected King County Prosecutor and head of the King
County Coalition Against Domestic Violence to find practical solutions to improve domestic
violence response.
The City of Algona contracts with the Walls Law Firm, PLLC to provide prosecution of
misdemeanor domestic violence cases. The City of Algona coordinates with King County and
other agencies with regards to repeat offenders. The prosecutor's office works with the police
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Toward Safety&.Justice III:Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
department in identifying repeat offenders, assisting,with outstanding warrants and witness
notification.
Auburn City Attorney's Office prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases in the City of
Auburn, and coordinates with King County and other agencies with regard to repeat offenders.
Together with the City,of Auburn Police Department's Victim Support Team,the Auburn City
Attorney's Office works to enhance the domestic violence services available to victims. "Through
this program, team members help domestic violence victims develop personal safety plans, refer
victims to other resource networks, and help victims obtain protective orders. The City of
Auburn also has a Domestic Violence Task Force that meets monthly.
The City of Burien contracts with a private law firm to provide prosecution services including the
prosecution of all misdemeanor domestic violence cases,and coordinates with King County and
other ageneie's,regarding crossover cases. The City of Burien has a large Hispanic population and
provides bi-lingual domestic violence advocacy services through a City-funded victim assistant.
The prosecutor and the domestic violence victim assistant work closely to enhance
communication with victims and keep them-informed about case status. The victim assistant
also assists victims by providing a safety plan, referrals to other agency resources, and
information concerning protection orders.
The City of Des.Moines prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases and coordinates with
King County and other agencies with xegards to repeat offenders. The prosecutor's office works
with the police department in idenlifying.repeat offenders, assisting with outstanding warrants
and witness notification. The City of Des Moines Police Department uses specialized DV follow
up investigators. They also engage in annual recurrent training for patrol.officers, and engage in
regular domestic violence warrant sweeps.
Federal Way City Attorney's Office has a history of working on domestic violence issues. In
1989 the City became involved with the Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response
Team ("CCR") for the South King County area. The CCR established domestic violence
advocates/liaisons within the legal department in 1998. A full-time prosecutor dedicated strictly
to domestic violence was authorized in 2006. Additionally, the City Council enacted a
sentencing enhancement for strangulation during the commission of domestic violence crime,
which has subsequently been adopted by the State. The City Council also enhanced sentencing
for committing domestic violence in the presence of children.
The City of North Bend contracts with the Walls Law Firm, PLLC to provide prosecution of
misdemeanor domestic violence cases. Police services are contracted to the King County
Sheriff's Office. The City of North Bend coordinates with King County and other agencies with
regards to repeat offenders and those cases of multiple jurisdiction. The City of North Bend
employs a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate to assist the victim during the criminal justice
process,and provide referrals to appropriate community based agencies.
Kenton City Attorney's Office prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases and coordinates
with.King County and other agencies with regards to repeat offenders. The prosecutor's office
wofks with the police department in identifying repeat offenders, assisting with outstanding
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Toward Safety&Justice III: Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
warrants and witness notification. The City of Renton Police Department's Domestic Violence
Victim Advocate assists in helping domestic violence victims develop a personal safety plan,
refers to community based domestic violence programs and other resources, assists with
protective orders, and assists the victim during the court process. The City of Renton has a
Domestic Violence Task Force. The deputy prosecutors attend the Domestic Violence Task
Force meetings and attend briefings on the topic of domestic violence.
The City of Tukwila prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases and coordinates with King
County and,other agencies with regards to repeat offenders. The prosecutor's office,works with
the police department in identifying repeat offenders, assisting with outstanding warrants and
wittress notification. The City ofTukwila'Police Department's Domestic Violence Victim
Advocate assists in helping domestic violence victims develop a personal safety plan,refers to
community based domestic violence programs and other resources, assists with protective orders,
and assists the victim during the court process.
SeaTac City Attorney's Office prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases and coordinates
with King County and other agencies with regards to repeat offenders. The prosecutor's office
works with the police department in identifying repeat offenders, assisting with outstanding
warrants and witness notification. The City of SeaTac contracts with the King County Sheriff's
Office to provide police services. The City of SeaTac employs a Domestic Violence Advocate
and the City Attorney coordinates with the Domestic Violence victim advocate to successfully
prosecute domestic violence cases with the goal of victim safety.
II. Project Summary
This Memorandum of Understanding represents a collaboration to strengthen and enhance safety
for victims of domestic violence by coordinating domestic violence prosecutions in King County
through vigorous case development, information sharing, plea negotiations, and case ..
prosecution. A deputy prosecuting attorney from the Domestic Violence'Unit'of the King County
Prosecutor's Office conducts.case reviews of misdemeanor filings to review for potential felony
filing and assists in the coordination of those cases which are being prosecuted in more than one
court. This is a continuation of a protect currently funded`through a FY2011 OVW Arrest
Program grant awarded to the City of Seattle. The existing project has been so successful that
five additional smaller jurisdictions have requested to become partner agencies under the
FY2013 application.
11[1[. History of Collaboration
For more than 10 years, the City of Seattle, Human Services Department, Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault Prevention Unit has.been working collaboratively with the King County
Prosecuting Attorney's,Office. Likewise, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has
partnered with the cities of Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, North Bend,
Renton,Tukwila and SeaTac. These agencies also have extensive histories of working together
as well on a variety of projects related to domestic violence and other crimes in King County.
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Toward Safety&Justice 111: Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office coordinates a county-wide.Domestic Violence
Initiative. The goal of the Domestic Violence Initiative Regional Task Force (DVI) is to deliver
practical improvements to the region's legal and "systems-response" to domestic violence. The
DVI is informed by a regional discussion about priorities for domestic violence. All project
partner agencies are members in the DVI.
Since the formation of DVI in October of 2009,there have been several successful projects. For
example,the DV I brought together all participants in King County's Protection Order system to
Find ways to improve efficiency and involvement of all parties, from courts to petitioner to law
enforcement and data operators. The result was a checklist project which has improved all
aspects of the protection order system, and become a state wide model for how to respond to
difficulties in the critical protection order process.
The City of Auburn collaborates with King County on a number of initiatives. First,City of
Auburn representatives work with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on training for
prosecution and law enforcement county-wide. These trainings,promote understanding of county
and municipal policies and protocols regarding.domestic violence cases. An example of this was
in 2006 when the City of Auburn presented with King County at a conference on "Networking
and Information-Sharing on DV cases in King County." The City of Auburn also collaborates
with King County on the implementation of STOP Grant activities. A representative from the
City of Auburn sits on the VAWA STOP Grant Prosecution Advisory Board,which determines
county-wide STOP Grant activities related to the education of prosecutors, victim assistants and
the community about domestic violence.
The City of Burien coordinates with King County criminal justice agencies with regard to
domestic violence cases. Burien has spent the last few years increasing their collaboration with
the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office due to the significant increase in domestic
violence cases following the annexation of a region north of the city.
The City of Federal Way works collaboratively with King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
This collaboration began in 2005 and included cross training between the two jurisdictions on the
issue of strangulation, passage of an assault by strangulation municipal code, and coordinated
efforts to raise awareness of the issue of strangulation. The City of Federal Way was a key
partner with King County on the creation and passage of the felony assault by strangulation
statute in Washington. The City of Federal Way has also collaborated with King County in
multiple trainings to promote understanding of each agencies policies and protocols on domestic
violence.
The City of Renton similarly has a long history of collaborating with King County Prosecuting
Attorney's Office. Specifically, the City of Renton collaborates with King County on
implementation of STOP Grant activities. Two representatives from Renton are members on the
VAWA STOP Grant advisory hoard. One of the main initiatives of this advisory board.has been
the creation of county-wide standardized reporting forms for domestic violence cases. In addition
to numerous-in-kind contributions each year for STOP Grant activities,the City of Renton has
,paid for the Spanish translation of the Domestic Violence information and Resource Guide,
which is currently used by 17 police agencies in King County.
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"Toward Safety&Justice 111• Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
The City of Tukwila engages in multiple collaborations related to domestic violence. From 2007
to 2011 they engaged in a DV and Children Project, which was a collaboration between Tukwila
police and key community stakeholders. The City of Tukwila also operated a DV task force
from 1991-2009 and now participates and provides board leadership for the South King County
Community Network. As partners with community service providers; the City leads and
participates in a Stop DV Walkathon and provides funding to local community based DV
agencies through city funds.
Thetity of SeaTac police department and prosecutor's office participate in regional domestic
violence task forces, and have helped lead the effort together with community based partners to
standardize U/T Visa reviews among all King County police agencies. Further,they have also
helped lead the effort to improve the response to protection orders in King County through a
regional task force. They have also been involved in the south King County domestic violence
walk a thon,.started by their jurisdiction, and participate in the special emphasis teams and task
forces related to human trafficking including domestic violence.
Through these collaborative relationships, the project partner agencies, with City of Seattle
taking the lead on writing the application, are well prepared to respond to the FY 13 Arrest Grant.
This project was designed to address needs in our community that the criminal justice partners
have identified.
IV. Development of the Application
The City of Seattle's Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Unit.together with the
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office took the lead in facilitating,the development of the
written proposal. Discussions with project partner agencies were conducted via individual
telephone calls and email. Project partner agencies provided the following assistance in
'developing the application:
• King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office—patticipated in preparatory discussions to
develop the project idea; coordinated contact and discussion with municipal city
attorney'"s offices and contracted law firms; provided material for the project narrative
and budget; reviewed and edited drafts of the project narrative and firmly committed to
support the project.
• City of Algona-participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea and
firmly committed to support the project.
• Auburn City Attorney's Office - participated in preparatory discussions to develop the
project idea and firmly committed to support the project.
® City of Burien -participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea and
firmly committed to support the project.
o City of Des Moines - participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea
and firmly committed to "support the project.
® Federal Way City Attorney's Office - participated in preparatory discussions to develop
the project idea and.firmly committed to support the project.
® City of North Bend -participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea
and firmly committed to support the project.
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Toward Safety&Justice III:Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
• Renton City Attorney'.s Office - participated in preparatory discussions to develop the
project idea and firmly committed to support the project.
• City of Tukwila- participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea and
Firmly committed to support the project.
ID City of SeaTac -participated in preparatory discussions to develop the project idea and
f r6ily committed to support the project.
These discussions, feedback provided by the collaborators, and their support led to the
development of the proposed project as reflected in the proposal narrative and agreed to in this
Memorandum of Understanding.
V. Roles and Responsibilities
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's(Juice will be responsible for the following duties and
responsibilities:
1. Supervise a half-time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Criminal Division to engage in
filing review of domestic violence cases from the cities of Algona,Auburn, Burien, Des
Moines, Federal Way, North Bend, Renton,Tukwila and SeaTac. This Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney will be based out of the King County Regional Justice Center in
south King County, and will spend regularly scheduled time each week at the nine
partner agencies and will share information electronically on a daily basis.
2. Provide assistance to the nine city attorney's offices for the following purposes:
a. Assist and advise in the screening of domestic violence cases from the cities of
Algona,Auburn, gurien, Des Moines, Federal Way,North Bend, Renton,
Tukwila,and SeaTac, and, if appropriate, steer potential felony and crossover
cases to the Domestic Violence unit of the King County Prosecutor's Office. Rush
File felony cases where required.
b. Coordinate and assist in the staffing and early plea negotiations of crossover
domestic violence cases between the Algona, Auburn, Burien, lies Moines, Federal
Way, Renton, Tukwila, and SeaTac attorney's offices and the Domestic Violence
unit of the King County Prosecutor's Office to leverage and improve case
dispositions.
c. Serve in the role of felony domestic violence advisor and provide case specific
advice and assistance on all manner of domestic violence prosecutions.
d. Advise and assist with the development and operation of high impact and serial
domestic violence offender prosecution in crossover cases.
e. Provide specialized domestic violence related training on felony prosecution and
filing and disposition standards to attorneys in the three city attorney's offices.
f. Give other unspecified domestic violence related legal assistance as required and
agreed to by both agencies.
3. Convene and facilitate any meetings related to this project.
4. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
5. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports, as mutually agreed upon, and as required
by the Department of Justice for this grant.
City of Algona will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
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Toward Safety&Justice III:Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
I. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2'. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to perform the
functions identified above; and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic
communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
Auburn City Attorney's Office will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in its offices in the
Auburn City HalI or Auburn Justice Center to perform the functions identified above;
and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide'data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
City of Burien will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to perform the
functions identified above; and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic
communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
City of Des Moines will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate workspace for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Des Moines
City'Hall.or Des Moines Municipal Court to perform the functions identified above;
and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
Federal Way City Attorney's Office will be responsible for the following duties and
responsibilities:
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in its offices in the
Federal Way City Hall or Justice Center to perform the functions identified above; and/or
agreeto submit cases for review via electronic communications.
3. Attend,quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
City of North Bend will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
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Toward Safety &Justice 11L• Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to perform the
functions identified above;.and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic
communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
Renton City Attorney's.Office will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
I. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting,Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in its offices in the
Renton City.Hall or Justice Center to perform the functions identified above; and/or agree
to submit cases for review via electronic communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide.data for semi-annual progress reports due to.the Department of Justice for this
grant.
City of Tukwila will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Assign a lead prosecutor to work.with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting.Attorney to perform the
functions identified above; and/or agree to submit cases for review via electronic
communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi-annual progress reports due to the Department of Justice for this
grant.
SeaTac City Attorney's Office will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
I. Assign a lead prosecutor to work with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
2. Provide adequate work space for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in its offices in the
SeaTac City Hall to perform the functions identified above; and/or agree to submit cases
for review via electronic communications.
3. Attend quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team.
4. Provide data for semi=anmial progress reports due to the Department of Justice,for this
grant.
The City of Seattle, Human Services Department, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Prevention Unit will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Contract with King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for the part-time Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney's salary, benefits and other expenses per the project budget;
2. Convene and facilitate the quarterly meetings of the grant implementation team;
3. Submit all required reports,records,and financial audits to the Department of Justice;
4. Provide all required copies of publications and materials produced under this grant to the
Department of Justice; and
5. Negotiate any necessary extensions or amendments with the Department of Justice.
Seattle-K ing County 2013 Arrest Program Application Memorandum of Understanding/8
Toward Safety&Justice III: Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
The roles and responsibilities described above are contingent on City of Seattle HSD receiving
funds requested for the project described in the OV W grant application. Responsibilities under
this Memorandum of Understanding would coincide with the grant period, anticipated to be
September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2016.
VI. Planning and Development Team
Representatives of the planning and development team include:
• Dusty Olson, a Planner with the City of Seattle's Human Services Department;
• David Martin, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Chair of the King County
Prosecuting Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit;
• Gabrielle Charlton, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, South King County DV Liaison, King
County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit;
• Renee Walls, Contracted Prosecutor, Cities of Algona and Burien
• Harry Boesche, Prosecuting Attorney, City of Auburn;
• Matthew Hutchins, Prosecutor, City of Des Moines
• Renee Walls, City of Burien contracted prosecutor;
• Pauline Freund, DV Prosecutor,City of Federal Way
• Aaron Walls,,Contracted Prosecutor, Cities of North Bend and Tukwila
• Shawn Arthur,.Chief Prosecuting Attorney, City of Kenton; and
• . 'Cindy Corsilles, Prosecutor, City of'SeaTac
'T'hese representatives, or their appointed representative, are responsible for developing and
implementing the project activities as described in the project narrative. Representatives will
meet immediately following award.of the grant to determine project continuation, expansion
strategies and timeline, and will subsequently meet at least quarterly to monitor project
implementation.
V11. Resources
A. City of Seattle Human Services Department will provide a portion of salary and benefits
for the grant program manager(Dusty Olson),prorated office space, and supplies.
B. King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will provide office space, supplies, training
and supervision for the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
C. City of Algona will provide adequate work space, as described above.
D. Auburn City Attorney's Office will provide adequate work space, as described above.
E. Cityof,Burien will provide adequate work space, as described above.
F. City of Moines will provide adequate work space, as described above.
G. Federal Way City Attorney's Office will provide adequate work space, as described
above.
H. City of North Bend-will provide adequate work space, as described above.
I. Renton City Attorney's Office will provide adequate work space, as described above.
J. City of Tukwila will provide adequate work space, as described above.
K. ScaTac City Attorney's Office will provide adequate work space, as described above.
Seattle-King County 2013 Arrest Program Application Memorandum of Understandi ng/9
Toward Safety&Justice I II: Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence
V1I1. Commitment
A. There is a firm commitment from each of the project partner agencies to achieve the
stated project goals by working together. The collaboration service area is King County.
B. The partner agencies agree to collaborate on a project to improve domestic violence
victims' access to the criminal legal system through prosecution co-location pursuant to
the program narrative of the grant application attached to this MOU.
C. Compensation for partner agencies' contribution to this project will he provided as
outlined in the attached OVW budget detail worksheet.
IX., Approval
We, the undersigned, have read and agree with this MOU. Further, we have reviewed and
approve the 'ortion of the proposed budget and project pertaining to the collaborative effort
descri d re. -
Dannette R. Smith, Director Daniel T. Satterberg
City of Seattle Human Services Department King County Prosecuting Attorney
Date: t 9 Date: ® 21 20 t2)
L.��gA rtiA..►,�,�., c.�+E o STr�,FF
I
! l
niel B. Hetd, City Attorney Craig Knutson; City Attorney
City of Aubum. City of Burien
Date:
f Date: �2 c'
Anthony A."asecki, City Manager Patricia A. Richardson, City Attorney
City of 1 s M roes City of Federal Way
Date: _ _ Date:
_-'Larry Warren, City t rney Mary Mir 44e Bartolo,City Xttorney
City of.Renton City o fd aT�
Date: _ .. +e - �, Date:
Seattle-King County 2013 Arrest Program Application Memorandum of Understanding 1 10
Toward Safety&Justice III: Seattle-King County Response to Domestic Violence _
Mayor David Hill -'"Londi Lindell, City Adminstrator
City of Algona City of Nosh Bend
Date: 3-Zl— 1 Date: `?
Mayo Ji IIaggc
City of ukwila
Date.
Seattle-King County 2013 Arrest Program Application Memorandum of Understanding/ I 1