Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 02-09-07 e NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 9, 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 — January 9, 2007 DATE OF NEXT MEETING — To Be Announced OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser/Visions Update 2. Bills and Vouchers* 3. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. W1 Act 230 b. Autopsy Services — Eau Claire c. Fentanyl Update 4. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun a. Unpaid Fines /Collections b. 'Wage Grid /PAWG Committee 5. Closed Session per WI Stat. 19.85(1)(c) for the performance evaluation of an employee, the Child Support Administrator. Reconvene in open session. 6. District Attorney Eric Johnson / Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson 7. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Office Manager Mary Martell a. Expenditures: Drug Fund /Confiscated Acct. /Jail Assessment b. Renting of Jail Space /Costs 8. County Board ID Badge 9. Storage Facility(s) 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: January 17, 2007 Copies to: County Board office News Media County Clerk Committee Members 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. 1/17/2007 3:23 PM PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING February 9, 2007 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Denise Gunderson, John Borup, Chuck Mehls and Tom Dowd. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Patrol Sergeant Jeff Klatt, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support Director Katy Kapaun, District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, Compensation Classification Specialist Scott Guinter and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Cranmer. Meeting called to order at 8:30am by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be March 6 d ' at 8:30am. The April meeting will be held on the 12`". Motion by Mehls, 2 by Borup to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mehls, 2 by Borup to approve the minutes of January 9, 2007 (with revisions). Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented January Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $844.69. Motion by Borup, 2nd by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik presented the current activity report; explaining autopsies are up for the month of January and cremations are a bit below. He also presented the final figures for 2006 and summarized overall revenues exceeded the budget amount and expenses came in below budget. Swetlik provided an update concerning the issue of removal fees reporting he received only three responses from area funeral homes and it is unlikely he will receive more. He described the process Eau Claire County has used for the past two -three years; discussion regarding concerns of utilizing just one facility and concerns in the event of a major crisis or catastrophe. Discussion regarding setting the reimbursement at $175 and having the geographical area determine which funeral home to call; the committee determined Swetlik should proceed in that respect. Swetlik reported the contract with RTI concerning WI Act 230 involving donor services has been approved by Corporation Counsel. Discussion regarding a resolution to present to the County Board at the March 20' meeting and perhaps an RTI representative being present at the meeting. Swetlik briefly outlined why he recommends RTI. Swetlik provided an update regarding an Eau Claire facility providing autopsy services. Swetlik reported he needs to investigate further because the facility does not have forensic pathologists; he will consult with the District Attorney concerning this issue and report back. Discussion regarding aspects of the Eau Claire facility vs. other autopsy facilities. Discussion regarding Swetlik's efforts involving Fentanyl drug awareness and the concern raised by Supervisor Krueger that it ought to be a Public Health issue not a Medical Examiner matter. Speer provided a copy of her written response and reported there are no concerns from the Public Health Department. Discussion regarding the more information and public education the better and the Committee congratulated Swetlik on his efforts. Swetlik reported he is comfortable with the relationship with Public Health and indicated departments within the county are working together on this issue. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kapaun provided January bills in the amount of $2,159.07. Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun presented the current budget status report and noted they are utilizing Seven County Process Service more for process service outside of St. Croix County. Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting and Compensation Classification Specialist Scott Guinter arrived at 9:20am. Kapaun commenced discussion regarding the recent revisions to the wage grid and explained the concerns brought up within her department as a result. Whiting outlined the current wage scale as well as provided some historical aspects, summarizing it is not the end product and work on the pointing system will continue. Discussion regarding concerns involving the PAWG group. Guinter explained the reasoning behind the seven -step pay scale indicating it provides for expansion of the pay grades and builds even percentages between the steps, etc. Discussion concerning employee perception of the pay grades; Whiting acknowledged there are a lot of people with varying opinions and noted he appreciates the frustrations and the questions presented. Discussion regarding the lower -level pay scales; the challenges involved with recruiting and retaining individuals for those positions and putting the brakes on the top -end pay levels. Discussion regarding the collection work performed in the Clerk of Court office, the mechanics involved with tracking who owes the county money and the software complications, etc. Discussion regarding different groups of people with different abilities to pay and the difference between accounts receivable and collections. Discussion regarding issues concerning union/non- union staff. Whiting and Guinter left the meeting at 10:04am. Kapaun reported they have begun the Children First Program and there has been a good outcome thus far. Kapaun also reported the Governor announced he will restore some of the funding cuts for the Child Support programs. Kapaun reported budget cuts have resulted in closing the training center in Eau Claire which now makes La Crosse the nearest training center. Kapaun explained other training options such as web training and developing a core group of county employees that provide training. Kapaun reported department collections topped one million dollars for the month of January and indicated the figure is a rare occurrence as it has only happened twice in the last few years. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Mehls, at 10:19am to adjourn to closed session per Wl Stat. 19.85(1)(c) for the performance evaluation of an employee, the Child Support Administrator. Carried unanimously. Roll call: all members present. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Gunderson, at 10:49am to reconvene into open session. Carried unanimously. -2- - DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Speer provided a letter concerning a Voca Grant check in the amount of $9,434.00. Office Mana er Cathy Halverson presented January bills in the amount of $30,462.02. Motion by Mehls, 2' by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Halverson presented the budget status report and explained the revision concerning the copier expense. Discussion concerning paper storage status; Halverson indicated the District Attorney's office does not anticipate additional need for off -site storage this year, only for possible file retrieval. REPORTS OF THE SHERIFF DEPT / JAIL / PATROL CAPTAIN: Shilts introduced Jeff Klatt as the newest Patrol Sergeant. Hillstead submitted an authorization to exceed hotel allowance in the amount of $88.50, stemming from two deputies staying in Detroit, Michigan. Motion by Borup, 2 by Mehls to approve the authorization. Carried unanimously. December Jail bills (2006 final) in the amount of $36,181.36 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. January 2007 Jail bills in the amount of $16,397.48 were presented. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. December Sheriff Department bills (2006 final) in the amount of $15,349.51 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2 by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. January 2007 Sheriff bills in the amount of $49,776.14 were presented. Hillstead and Humphrey clarified the Visionaire contract expense. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Hillstead noted concerning the 2006 final budget numbers that they came in approximately $20,000 under the budgeted amount. Hillstead provided an update concerning the status of the canine unit reporting the dog they receive will be a multi -use dog and they may try to get an additional dog specific for drug investigation. He also reported the contracts with the townships of Troy, Warren and St. Joseph are working out well, he reported funds from the US Treasury (concerning Hammond property) will go to the asset forfeiture fund and reported two new people have been allocated for snowmobile patrol and indicated the Sheriff s Department will be involved in patrolling the Bass Lake fishing tournament. Humphrey reported the Huber capacity is fifty -six and the average population has been at forty - two as of late, which is an increase. Discussion regarding jail space rental for out -of- county inmates; Hillstead reported most surrounding counties charge forty -five dollars per day and recommends adopting the same fee schedule (with a sixty dollar per -day fee for federal agencies) and reported the bed rental would provide cost savings for the county. Discussion regarding negotiating the terms of the contract to provide for an out should our jail population expand, as well as for uncooperative inmates and medical issues, etc. Hillstead reported municipal courts should be dropped to the forty -five dollar per -day fee as well. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Mehls to amend the jail space rental -3- contract to provide for negotiating a fee between forty -five and sixty dollars per -day. Carried unanimously. Shilts presented a draft of an updated job description for the primary services deputy position and reported the reason for the upgrade is an attempt to "seal up" the description and make it more specific. Shilts indicated Guinter will finalize the description and Shilts will bring it forward when the finished product is complete. He also reported they will eventually revise other job descriptions. Hillstead reported a policy is being considered concerning the law enforcement safety act in which retired officers (who qualify) will be authorized to carry a concealed weapon. Hillstead explained the federal government had approved this in the past but the Wisconsin Attorney General has always denied it; however the new Attorney General may approve. Hillstead reported the contracts will be patterned after Dane County and both Timmerman and Ziliak have reviewed. Discussion regarding liability and the concerns of ensuring a person remains stable, etc; Hillstead reported the Sheriff can deny anyone. I Seefootnote on this page Shilts reported there have been three traffic fatalities and it has been determined alcohol is a factor in each of the accidents. Humphrey reported on ongoing Jail matters; she thanked the committee members involved with the job interview process and reported a position has been offered. Humphrey described a couple of upcoming benefits for the Dykes family and reported Dave will be coming back to work. Discussion regarding the issue of employee PTO donations; Speer reported the Finance Committee did not move to approve pending more study. Discussion regarding the difficult situation for the family and the many arguments for the PTO donations. Humphrey summarized whatever the outcome of the PTO donation issue, Dave and his wife feel supported by the employees of St. Croix County. Hillstead described an incident that occurred in the jail on January 23` in which an innate was placed in the wrong cell; Hillstead reported action is pending per outcome of the investigation. Hillstead reported the Hudson AODA person will divide time between the Hudson and New Richmond locations due to the untimely death of the staff person in New Richmond. The arrangement will continue until a new person is hired. Hillstead reported that as of February 1 St, the program has eighteen active participants. STORAGE ISSUE: Whiting arrived back in the meeting at 12:01pm. Discussion regarding the various storage sites, the impound lot, secure storage and obtaining the total dollar amount spent on all sites. Discussion regarding the process of photographing evidence held for court cases and notifying attorneys of a time frame in which to view the evidence prior to it being released; Shilts reported the process has been implemented; however time will tell how well the system works. 1 ,Statements made in this paragraph are subject to modification; revisions will be reflected in the minutes of the March 6, 2007 Public Protection Committee meeting. -4- Discussion regarding the various aspects of storage (including heavy equipment, cold storage, etc.) and it appears at some point the county will need to have a storage building. Discussion regarding obtaining costs and eliminating certain storage aspects. Whiting suggested making a list of what is needed to be stored instead of starting with a building plan; then define how space would be utilized. Discussion regarding how easily items accumulate and ways to remedy the problem, including holding auctions. Discussion concerning the paper storage issue has been addressed. Whiting reported in light of everything that is going on with the county -owned property, now is the right time to review and implement plans for future storage needs. Discussion regarding the December 2006 joint meeting with the Finance Committee and the frustrations regarding the concerns of the Public Protection Committee not being addressed. Discussion regarding not having enough space to store everything and a process needs to be implemented for getting rid of items; discussion regarding analyzing the amount of space required per department and measure and plan accordingly. Whiting provided copies of the "Space Survey Form" that has been distributed to departments and left the meeting at 12:33pm. SHERIFF DEPT / JAIL REPORT (continued): Discussion concerning the decline in the jail assessment fund. Hillstead described a couple of reasons for the decline indicating one factor is whenever the state raises the minimum ticket price it always affects the number of tickets issued and another is simply the increase in the number of other complaints reduces the number of traffic citations issued. Shilts explained the lumping together of certain citations with other charges also contributes to the decline in the funds. Shilts reported the interrogation rooms are complete. COUNTY BOARD ID BADGES: No discussion. Meeting adjourned at 12:43pm. John Borup, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary Approved 0310612007 -5-