HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 11-13-07 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 13, 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 — October 12, 2007
DATE OF NEXT MEETING — December 13, 2007
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Web Browser/Visions Update
2. Bills, Vouchers, 2008 Budget and Capital Outlay*
3. Storage Facility*
4. Motel/Hotel/Travel Expenditures*
5. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik
6. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun
7. District Attorney Eric Johnson, Victim/Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson
8. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Patrol Captain Mike Winberg, Jail
Captain Karen Humphrey, Accountant/Office Manager Mary Martell
a. Expenditures: Drug Fund/Confiscated Acct. /Jail Assessment
b. * * Federal Entitlement Benefits (Resolutions from Green Lake, Langlade and Calumet
Counties)
9. Human Resources/Personnel Issues*
10. Survey*
11. Collection of fines options:
a. Judges, D.A., Corp. Counsel, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff
b. Ordinances lowering the fine fees
12. * *Government Center Space Needs*
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
* These items may be heard by each Department
** Additions /Changes /Corrections
Submitted by: Julie Speer
Date: October 24, 2007 (Revised Oct. 30 and Nov. 8, 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.
11/8/2007 12:27 PM
ST. CROIX COUNTY PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING
November 13, 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, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child
Support Director Katy Kapaun, District Attorney Eric Johnson, District Attorney Legal Secretary
Jamie Palesh and Amy Geurkink.
OTHERS PRESENT: None.
Meeting called to order at 8:33 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Motion by Borup, 2 by Mehls to
adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously.
Next regular meeting will be December 13, 2007 at 8:30am. The January meeting will be held
on the 10 at 8:30am.
Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Dowd to approve the minutes of October 12, 2007. Carried
unanimously.
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented October Medical Examiner bills in
the amount of $1.98 and reported there are two pending autopsies. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by
Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik reported the budget is on
track for the year; discussion regarding purchases prior to year -end and order /invoice deadlines.
Swetlik presented a handout regarding a new project for the Medical Examiner's office
concerning geographical cancer analysis. Swetlik reported the Forensic Filer computer program
provides a tremendous data base for death reports and the intern program with UWRF provides a
research component. Swetlik described potential analysis capabilities such as long term effects
from a specific location, types of cancer, specific clusters, etc. Swetlik explained he would
partner with other county departments to study environmental and occupational factors, radon
and water testing, lead paint, asbestos, traffic- related, suicide, etc. Discussion regarding the
involvement of various county departments and other potential study capabilities; Swetlik will
provide periodic updates to the committee.
Swetlik reported St. Croix County will host a death notification seminar on December 18
Swetlik explained certain aspects of the seminar and reported there has been quite a bit of
interest and he may host two sessions.
CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kapaun presented October bills in
the amount of $2,427.77. Kapaun clarified the genetic testing amounts. Motion by Mehls, 2nd
by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
Kapaun provided the budget status report and reported the department may exceed the process
server expense but the overall budget will be close to the mark; discussion regarding state and
federal funding. Discussion regarding purchases prior to year -end; Kapaun reported she may
look into wireless headsets for staff. Kapaun reported the recently implemented dual computer
monitor system saves time and money as it increases productivity.
Kapaun reported the state awarded money to the Child Support Department for exceeding
performance levels for the fiscal year.
Kapaun reported there has been a significant increase in collections and provided a handout
indicating the increases since 2005. Kapaun reported collections for 2007 total $11,233,113.46;
the committee commended Kapaun for the work of her department. Discussion regarding the
annual report due in December.
Discussion regarding unpaid fines; Kapaun reported the Child Support Department has several
tools for collection and reported they have used recreational license suspensions in the last
couple of years and it has made an impact.
Kapaun reported the Children First Program has been an overall success and many are finding
employment; discussion regarding uncertainty if the state will continue the program.
Kapaun reported the debit card pilot program has been a success and reported the program was
spotlighted in Rivertowns newspapers.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Johnson introduced Jamie Palesh, a legal secretary in
the District Attorney's office. Palesh reported she has a degree in criminal justice as well as a
paralegal degree and reported she initially started with St. Croix County as an intern.
Speer reminded Johnson of the annual report due next month.
Johnson presented October bills in the amount of $22,727.05. Johnson indicated some of the
bills listed are reimbursable items. Discussion regarding the amount concerning Skits Outreach
Services; the group will appear at the Stop Drugs ceremony at the Hudson High School on
December 3 Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried
unanimously.
Discussion regarding current staffing levels and the impact of the Fourth Judgeship to begin on
August 1, 2008.
Johnson reported office space continues to be an issue for his department; Speer reported
departments are to submit their space needs requests to the Finance Committee. Discussion
regarding the specific space need for the Victim Witness office waiting area and utilization of the
large lunchroom or part of it. Johnson reported it is state statute requirement that the county is to
provide a waiting area for victims. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Dowd to strongly (again) request
adequate space for the Victim Witness office in accordance with state statute requirements.
Discussion regarding frequency of use. Johnson indicated he will address the space needs with
Building Services Director Tobin. Carried unanimously.
Speer read a letter concerning a Voca Grant in the amount of $9,571.00
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Johnson reported Frank Collins, Ann Gustafson and his office did a marvelous job on the Whyte
murder trial and the victim's family was sincerely appreciative. Johnson also commended the
Sheriff s Department and its investigators, reporting they all did a tremendous job on the case.
Discussion regarding out -of -state criminals released from St. Croix County incarceration that end
up staying, living and working in this county; Johnson noted some are particularly dangerous.
Short break taken at 10:09am; reconvened at 10:19am.
REPORTS OF THE SHERIFF DEPT /JAIL/PATROL CAPTAIN: Speer reminded
Hillstead the annual reports are due next month and also to submit any space needs issues to the
Finance Committee.
October Jail bills in the amount of $58,329.96 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Borup
to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Hillstead reported the 10 -week training
program is grant /scholarship funded by the state.
Sheriff Department bills for the month of October in the amount of $61,817.45 were presented.
Discussion regarding the expected high gasoline prices, its impact on next years' budget and
ways the department conserves energy. Discussion regarding federal funding grant cuts. Motion
by Gunderson, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the bills as presented. Martell reported the Nextel charge
is higher because of cell phone charges but there will be a forthcoming credit for that expense.
Carried unanimously.
Discussion regarding meeting the dogs of the canine program; Winberg indicated he may bring
them in next month.
Discussion regarding past due fines and the number of warrants issued specifically for past due
fines.
Hillstead reported there were well over 12,000 calls for service this year. Winberg reported there
have been approximately seventeen fatalities thus far for the year; several within cities and
villages. Discussion regarding interstate safety, the majority of fatalities are on local roads and
seat belt use.
Discussion regarding the year -end budget figures; Martell reported a couple line items may be
over but in general the budget is on track; discussion regarding purchases prior to year -end.
Discussion regarding resolutions from other counties concerning federal entitlement benefits.
Hillstead explained the resolutions address the issue of inmates continuing to receive federal
benefits in order to save county funds; Hillstead will prepare a resolution for review by
Corporation Counsel.
Shilts reported the Hudson Rod and Gun Club suspended all law enforcement use of its shooting
range which leaves the department no place to conduct training. Discussion regarding utilizing
other clubs /ranges; Shilts reported the department will eventually run out of options as many
ranges are restricting use due to housing development, liability issues, etc. Discussion regarding
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the expense of traveling to distant facilities, looking into utilizing county -owned property and
merging with other counties.
Winberg reported the department is eligible for a DOT grant for working the click- it -or- ticket
programs and alcohol crackdowns; Winberg reported one -half of the grant money would be for
equipment and indicated it would be used for light bars on the squad cars. Hillstead summarized
the department will spend more time researching grants and other ways to fund.
SURVEY: Speer reported she was directed to submit the survey responses to the Human
Resources Director and she provided a copy of her letter of submission. Discussion regarding
aspects of the survey and its effects in the Sheriff's Department.
HUMAN RESOURCES /PERSONNEL ISSUES: No discussion.
COLLECTION OF FINES OPTIONS: Mehls reported it's time to act decisively to reclaim
the past due fine violation money. Discussion regarding options for collection including hunting
license and other recreational license suspensions; newspaper publishing, looking at it long -term
and involving several departments. Discussion regarding forming a committee specifically for
this issue and asking members of the Finance Committee to be present at the next meeting (or
prior to the next County Board meeting) to obtain an update /progress report and discuss various
methods of collections.
Gunderson reported the Meth Advisory Committee has refocused its attention to underage
drinking; discussion regarding lack of adequate support groups and community programs for
teenagers.
Meeting adjourned at 11:57 a.m.
John Borup, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary
Approved 12-13-200
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