HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 08-08-07 ' r
NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
AUGUST 8, 2007 - 8:30AM
ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
ROOM 1281
1101 CARMICHAEL ROAD
HUDSON, WISCONSIN
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING — July 10, 2007
DATE OF NEXT MEETING — September 12, 2007
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Web Browser/Visions Update
2. Bills, Vouchers and 2008 Budget*
3. Storage Facility*
4. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik
5. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun
6. District Attorney Eric Johnson/Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson
7. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Patrol Captain Mike Winberg * *,
Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Office Manager Mary Martell
a. Expenditures: Drug Fund/Confiscated Acct. /Jail Assessment
b. Sergeant Position(s)"
8. H.H.S. Mobile Utilization Unit, Ron Lockwood and Steve Kirt (10:30am)
9. Human Resources/Personnel Issues*
10. Survey*
11. Goal Setting/Mission Statements*
12. Capital Outlay*
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
* These items will be heard by each Department
** Additions /Changes /Corrections
Submitted by: Julie Speer
Date: July 20, 2007, (amended August 6')
Copies to: County Board office News Media
County Clerk Committee Members
Supr. Esther Wentz — H.H.S., Chair Respective Department Heads
Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a
County Board meeting.
8/7/2007 10:11 AM
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING
August 8, 2007
Official Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Denise Gunderson, John Borup, Chuck Mehls and Tom
Dowd. Absent: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Patrol Captain Mike
Winberg, Accountant /Office Manager Mary Martell, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Deputy
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Victim
Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman, Health and Human
Services Director Fred Johnson, Long Term Support Coordinator Ron Lockwood, Mental
Health/AODA Clinical Services Supervisor Steve Kirt and Amy Geurkink.
OTHERS PRESENT: Supr. Dick King (arrived toward end of the meeting).
Meeting called to order at 8:36am by Chairperson Speer. Motion by Mehls, 2 by Borup to
adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously.
Next regular meeting will be September 11, 2007 at 8:30am. The Public Protection budget -only
meeting is scheduled for September 19 at 8:30am; the October regular meeting will be held on
the 10 at 8:30am.
Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Dowd to approve the minutes of July 10, 2007, with the following
correction (on page one, paragraph two of the Medical Examiner's Report); carried unanimously:
Discussion regarding a request from the Administrative Coordinator of
Swetlik to keep a daily log of work/hours performed as Mediea
Emergency Communications Director.
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik was not present due
to attending a conference in Baltimore; Deputy Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner was present.
July Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $1,993.76 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2nd
by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Schachtner reported there are
two outstanding autopsies and described factors such as DNA searches that may significantly
raise autopsy costs.
The July 2007 activity summary was reviewed; Schachtner summarized most numbers are over
anticipated amounts. A letter from Dr. McGee of Ramsey County Minnesota was presented
concerning an increase in autopsy fees (effective January 1, 2008); brief discussion regarding
autopsy numbers and the difficulty in projecting those numbers for budget purposes.
Schachtner explained the funeral home rotation regarding livery service.
Schachtner reported the office intern summer term has ended; brief discussion regarding
tolerance for medical examiner work.
The 2008 proposed budget information was reviewed; Borup suggested a highlighted page
outlining the seventeen percent (17 %) increase to present to the Finance Committee for budget
review purposes; discussion regarding the time -line for the budget review process.
Discussion regarding issues concerning the two positions currently held by Swetlik and reporting
to two separate committees; Speer reported the item was inserted on both the Administration
Committee and Finance Committee agendas. Discussion regarding the request of Swetlik to
account for his time. Speer provided a copy of a report written by the Human Resource
Administrator concerning multiple reporting.
Schachtner reported the Medical Examiner Deputies support Swetlik; she explained they seek
stability in the department as this could potentially be the fourth transition in four years; she
described the time investment involved with training, etc. and a stable department is crucial to
current and future staffing. Discussion regarding not accepting Swetlik's resignation as Medical
Examiner pending outcome of further discussion.
Discussion regarding Swetlik's work performance; both committees are content so why the
inquiry; Borup suggested seeking legal opinion from Corporation Counsel concerning questions
of conflict of interest, etc. Note: discussion concerning this issue resumed later in the meeting
and Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman was present; refer to page four of this document.
CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kapaun was not present for the
meeting but provided the budget status report as well as July bills in the amount of $2,094.94.
Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson and
Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson were present. Speer read a letter regarding
Department of Justice reimbursement for the Victim/Witness Program in the amount of
$37,297.45; Gustafson reported the Voca Grant has been renewed for another year at a five -
percent (5 %) increase.
Gustafson provided the Victim Witness Program Mission Statement and explained the office has
its own mission statement aside from the District Attorney's office; Halverson explained the
mission statement requires committee approval. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Borup to approve
the Victim Witness Mission Statement. Carried unanimously.
July District Attorney bills in the amount of $25,424.69 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2nd
by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Halverson clarified the
amount concerning investigative services.
Brief discussion regarding budget review; Speer explained the budget review time -line.
H.H.S. MOBILE UTILIZATION UNIT SHERIFF DEPT/ (10:15AM): Health and Human
Services Director Fred Johnson, Long Term Support Coordinator Ron Lockwood and Mental
Health/AODA Clinical Services Supervisor Steve Kirt were present for this particular agenda
item.
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Johnson outlined aspects of the crisis utilization mobile unit and reported they were present at
this meeting to provide updates and as well as an opportunity to brainstorm with members of the
Sheriff's Department in order to enhance mobilization. Lockwood provided history of the
mobile unit explaining it started as a hospital diversion program; he described the benefits of the
unit and noted one major outcome is more humane treatment for citizens. Kirt presented a
response chart handout providing the call rate from January 2007 through July 2007. He
explained the 56% call rate from surrounding facilities and of those calls they were able to divert
at 81%.
Discussion regarding utilization, what type of persons /situations are likely candidates for the
crisis unit, follow -up case management after diversion, financial aspects, cost savings and grant
funding.
Hillstead reported he is not opposed to the program but noted there are areas that could use
improvement. Discussion regarding the officer wait -time involved, intoxicated persons,
mentally ill persons, false alarms, potentially dangerous situations, liability concerns and the
deputy making the final determination. Hillstead summarized his department will utilize the
crisis unit whenever possible. Discussion regarding the mobile crisis response team making a
presentation at Sheriff Department staff meeting(s) and perhaps implementing mobile crisis
training as part of officer training.
Discussion regarding the hours of service (4:00pm until midnight) and the hope to expand the
hours to 2am; brief discussion regarding hopes for foster crisis homes and aspects of the Atlas
House facility.
Johnson reported they would be happy to come back at any time to present more details and
update the committee; Johnson, Kirt and Lockwood left the meeting at 10:55am
REPORTS OF THE SHERIFF DEPT / JAIL / PATROL CAPTAIN: Speer provided the
September Public Protection Committee meeting dates of September 11 and the 19 and the
Finance budget meeting dates at the end of September.
Sheriff announced and introduced Mike Winberg as newly appointed Patrol Captain.
July Jail bills in the amount of $58,691.32 were presented. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Mehls
to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
Sheriff Department bills for the month of July in the amount of $97,034.97 were presented;
Hillstead clarified the expenses concerning gas pump repair. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by
Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
Humphrey provided the Jail Daily Headcount report; brief discussion regarding electronic
monitoring.
Hillstead explained the 2007 budget did not include the AODA expenses and the item will be in
the 2008 budget; Humphrey reported the Finance Director is aware of it. Hillstead summarized
the bottom line for 2007 will be at or near budget.
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Discussion regarding water patrol on the St. Croix River; Hillstead reported a new boat will be
needed eventually and will be reimbursed by the DNR over a 5 -7 year period.
Hillstead presented an authorization to exceed hotel expense in the amount of $72 per night (for
six nights) and explained it stems from officer training. Motion by Borup, 2nd by Dowd to
approve the authorization. Carried unanimously.
Hillstead provided a brief update concerning the j ail death investigation.
Hillstead submitted a 2008 proposal concerning Sergeant/Lieutenant positions; he outlined the
aspects of the proposal and summarized there would be no additional cost while providing the
necessary 24 -7 supervision and the additional patrol needed. Discussion regarding position
titles, job descriptions and union positions; Hillstead will meet with the Human Resources
Administrator and the Compensation Specialist concerning the job descriptions. Motion by
Dowd, 2 nd by Mehls to accept the Sergeant/Lieutenant Positions proposal and advance it into the
2008 budget process. Carried unanimously.
Humphrey reported things are going well in the jail; she indicated the Building Services Director
has provided some good interaction.
Shilts reported there have been two new hires in patrol and they are currently in training. Martell
reported they will be adjusting the duties of the staff due to an upcoming unpaid 13 -week leave
of absence. Martell reported there has been an upgrade in the Visions software program, both
with the Jail and Sheriff records management system.
Hillstead reported the Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear some cases in Hudson in October; he
indicated Government Center security will be enhanced during that time.
Brief discussion regarding activities of the canine unit; one dog was recently utilized to
apprehend a criminal hiding in brush; one dog was present at National Night -Out, an anti -crime
neighborhood watch group.
MEDICAL EXAMINER (Cont.): Mehls read his written report regarding the July County
Board meeting in which a statement was made by a particular supervisor; Mehls asked that his
report be inserted in the minutes, the committee agreed; Mehls' statement is as follows:
"I find it very disconcerting that a County Board Supervisor could bring what
appears to be a personal vendetta item to the County Board during the last few
minutes of the July full County Board meeting. His statement of concern
concerning the Medical Examiner and "what we are going to about it" was ill -
timed, ill- advised and out of line as was the ensuing discussion due to the fact this
item was not on the agenda. His statement appeared to cast doubt on the
credibility of the Medical Examiner even though his concerns have already been
addressed in committee(s) and with the Administrative Coordinator and it was
already on the agenda of the next Finance Committee meeting. " — Chuck Mehls
Discussion concerning Swetlik growing weary of having to defend his position.
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Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived at 12:02pm.
Borup explained the committee is seeking counsel's opinion whether there is conflict of interest
with the dual positions held by Swetlik. Timmerman indicated the issue with one person running
two county departments and reporting to separate committees was raised so that County Board
supervisors are aware of the situation as it does involve county structure. Timmerman explained
potential concerns such as which department/committee would receive priority, loyalty issues,
the 24- hour - per -day position and the impact of future and possibly different committee structure.
Discussion regarding both jobs being efficiently accomplished and neither committee has had a
problem; discussion regarding the request of Swetlik's time sheets and why the Administration
Committee and Finance Committee review of the issue. Timmerman responded he feels it is
essential to request the hours and if Swetlik's hours make up for the hours performed as Medical
Examiner then no problem. Discussion regarding the contracted Medical Examiner duties;
Timmerman reported independent contractors will (in the future) be re- designated as contracted
employees and explained a contracted employee is not entitled to county benefits.
Brief discussion regarding Swetlik's resignation as Medical Examiner; Speer reported the
committee will not accept the resignation pending outcome of further review.
Supervisor Dick King arrived at 12:24pm.
Mehls referred to the statement made by a supervisor at the end of the July County Board
meeting (refer to Mehls' report on page four). Timmerman reported the issue is worth
discussing and noted Swetlik is not the issue, but rather it's about county structure. Timmerman
summarized it would seem to him this is not the type of structure the county would want but he
is not advocating anything.
Timmerman left the meeting at 12:32pm.
Meeting adjourned at 12:34pm.
John Borup, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary
Approved: Septernber 11, 2007
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