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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 07-17-06 T � 1 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE JULY 17, 2006 - 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 — June 14, 2006 DATE OF NEXT MEETING — August 16, 2006 — 8:30am OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser / Visions Update 2. Traffic Ticket Intercept/Joint Meeting w/Finance Committee 3. County Energy Policy 4. Bills and Vouchers* 5. Budget 2006* a. Positions* 6. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. 2005 Wisconsin Act 230 b. Deputy Medical Examiner Contracts 7. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun 8. District Attorney Eric Johnson / Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson 9. 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. Drug Court/Meth Committee /AODA c. Special Events Programs, Patrol Captain John Shilts d. Nurse Position e. Jail Inspection f. Ride Share ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE 1. St. Croix Correctional Center — Supervisor Mehls ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) * These items will be heard by each Department ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Submitted by: Julie Speer Date: May 24, 2006 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. 7/5/2006 1:15 PM PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING July 17, 2006 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Chuck Mehls, Denise Gunderson, John Borup and Tom Dowd. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Office Manager Mary Martell, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Child Support Director Katy Kapaun, Lisa Plunkett and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: Jack Hartwig, representative from Health Professionals, LTD. Also present during the joint meeting with Finance Committee: members of the Finance Committee (Krueger, Caflisch, Wentz, Standafer, Malick), Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, County Clerk Cindy Campbell, Finance Director Michelle Pietrick, Clerk of Court Lori Meyer, Clerk of Court Office Manager Kristi Severson and media Judy Wiff. Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be August 16 at 8:30am. The September meeting will be on the 7 th at 8:30am. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Borup to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Borup, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the minutes of June 14, 2006. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented June Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $4,438.70. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik reported there are three outstanding autopsies. Swetlik also provided the June activity report and year -to -date budget and reported his department remains below budget projections, except for cremations (which are reimbursed). Swetlik provided an update regarding 2005 Wis. Act 230, reporting he has contacted two organizations and has received a contract from RTI and is waiting for one from Life Source and will have Corporation Counsel review the contracts. Swetlik also provided clarification regarding Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman's remarks concerning the June minutes in reference to Wis. Act 230. Timmerman requested his position be reported in the July minutes. Swetlik clarified that Timmerman provided interpretation from the Wis. Statutes but did not suggest anything further concerning using specific language when referring to the act. Swetlik reported the statement "change from a `requirement' to `strongly suggested' when referring to the act" came from the May State Conference of County Medical Examiner's and Coroner's, not from Corporation Counsel Timmerman. Swetlik reported the Deputy Medical Examiner contracts have been signed and forwarded to Chuck Whiting for his signature. The committee members will receive copies once all the necessary signatures are obtained. ti Swetlik reported he will meet with the Pierce County coroner regarding potential large quantity supply purchases with other counties, the theory being to pool the needs of multiple counties together for potential cost savings. Swetlik has compiled a list of the needs of St. Croix County. Swetlik reported he is also meeting with Pierce County coroner regarding creating a policy and procedure manual for his department. The theory being to look at common issues and put out a comprehensive policy and procedure manual. Swetlik reported he has done research but needs more ideas concerning administrative issues. Swetlik reported a former intern in the Medical Examiner's office received a fine job offer from a donor service company. She will be conducting research to confirm donor information is correct and verified. She had reported to Swetlik, that her intern position with St. Croix County played an instrumental role in her landing the position. I Swetlik provided a copy of an email from the National Institute for Justice (NIJ) regarding the Paul Coverdell Grant and reported unbeknown to him the Sheriffs Department had applied for the grant as well and reported only one of the departments may qualify. Swetlik reported they have decided to let the NIJ determine which department may receive the grant. Discussion regarding the tremendous amount of work involved with grant applications and there ought to be better communication between departments. Dowd commenced discussion regarding the possibility of one person preparing all grant applications. Borup reported if this committee feels there needs to be better communication among departments, something ought to be done about it. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun presented June bills in the amount of $1,479.11. Motion by Dowd, 2nd by Mehls to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun reported process service charges continue to be high and indicated she is researching a company in Minnesota to possibly provide those services. Kapaun summarized her department will likely come in under budget. Kapaun introduced Lisa Plunkett, the new Child Support Specialist. Lisa is from Rock County and has many years of Child Support experience. Kapaun reported her department had $880,000 in collections last month (includes $32,000 in state and federal tax intercepts). Kapaun also reported that on the surface her department compliance report looks really good. Kapaun presented a 2007 Preliminary Budget analysis and reported she expects no surprises at this point. If the budget remains the same, the 2007 budget should be fine but the 2008 budget will likely take a hit because of budget cuts. Kapaun highlighted the potential sources of revenue. Discussion regarding jobs in and out of St. Croix County. Kapaun has contacted the extension office regarding programs and is working to identify /address what is keeping people from obtaining employment. Kapaun reported they will need eight (8) new printers for her department and indicated she will inquire with the IT Department regarding the possibility of acceptable used printers. Kapaun will determine whether this purchase will be in the 2007 or 2008 budget or possibly one -half the cost each of those years. Mehls questioned the number of delinquent violators that actually serve jail time. Kapuan reported other avenues are taken first, however a judge may order jail time in certain circumstances. Generally, if someone is making an attempt but still in contempt there are ways of avoiding jail time. Brief discussion regarding huber privileges. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Johnson presented June bills in the amount of $3,631.09. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Borup to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Johnson reported the Meth conference was paid for by federal dollars. Speer commenced a brief discussion regarding the costs involved with subpoenas vs. process service. Johnson commenced discussion regarding the recent point system for job positions. He explained how the job position points were allocated and expressed his displeasure of how the positions within his department were pointed, particularly in comparison with similar duties in other departments. He feels those responsible for allocating the points have a lack of perception for what his office does. Johnson reported the points allocated concerning his department positions were based on out -of- date job descriptions. Johnson reported he was advised to change /update job descriptions and go to the parent committee for approval. Johnson indicated he was seeking immediate committee approval for the updated job descriptions. Speer reported that due to time restraints for this meeting, the Committee will address this issue later in the day and will call Johnson back into the meeting at that time (Johnson left the meeting at 10:40am and returned at 12:40pm). SHERIFF'S REPORT: June bills were presented in the amount of $51,915.35. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Hillstead reported that Klanderman's work for contracting with Bernard's regarding oil changes for squad cars is starting to have a ripple effect. Another company is willing to match the price quote and Hillstead reported others will likely follow. Hillstead reported Channel 9 News did a news segment regarding the behavior /activity on the Apple River. Hillstead reported violent and sexual assaults are down, although there is still a frequency of underage drinking and sexual activity. Brief discussion regarding computer related crime, identity theft, etc. Hillstead reported Mike Wakeling retired as investigator and four persons have applied for the position. He also reported that Tom Vandeberg retired and the position has been filled. They will hire a patrol officer and a jail sergeant position will be filled. Hillstead reported the call numbers are ahead of last year at this time. Officer contact numbers are up, arrests are about the same. Hillstead reported they will likely add two office personnel to do transcription, thus freeing up time for patrol officers. Hillstead reported a sub - station in Star Prairie station will be constructed. PATROL CAPTAIN'S REPORT: Hillstead reported Captain Shilts is currently in Washington DC and will be back in September. Speer reported on a memo from Patrol Captain Shilts regarding the successful Click it -or- Ticket program. Hillstead reported four traffic fatalities thus far this year, which is a far lower number than recent years. Hillstead cited better built cars, air bags, seat belt use and better medical care as reasons for the reduction in fatalities. JAIL REPORT: June bills in the amount of $73,857.89 were presented. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Borup to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Hillstead and Humphrey reported they are presently without a jail nurse and are in the process of putting out RFP's to provide nursing/medical services. Humphrey introduced Jack Hartwig with Health Professionals, LTD. Hartwig explained they have twenty -three (23) sites in Wisconsin, with Eau Claire County just approving them to provide services. He reported the company saves the county money and eliminates the worry of providing the necessary services. He explained the employees have correctional and medical background. Hillstead reported they have gone through many jail nurses and replacements have been difficult to find and explained this service will find a nurse that suits the needs of St. Croix County. Hillstead explained the bid for one year is less than what was budgeted last year. He explained they are getting other bids and for now are tossing the idea at the committee. They will bring proposals to the committee and seek direction. Discussion regarding the 2006 budget, the cost of living increase issues and malpractice issues. Discussion regarding the hardship and issues faced without a jail nurse. Discussion regarding the three year contract and the cost; Hillstead feels contracting will be a cost savings. Humphrey explained the service has a great recruiting process. Hillstead explained that once they have all the contracts they will have Corporation Counsel review. Humphrey read from the contract a few of the services provided by Health Professionals, LTD. Borup commenced discussion regarding term specifications for the contract. Humphrey reported she is taking care of the nursing issues for the interim. Discussion regarding the WI Statute requirement for medical services in county jails and the liability issues. Discussion regarding an interim contract for the remainder of the year. Humphrey reported there are some excess funds for a line item transfer. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Mehls, to contract with Health Professionals, LTD for the remainder of this year, pending approval of the contract by Corporation Counsel (amount not to exceed $75,000). Carried unanimously. Hillstead will meet with Corporation Counsel for the purpose of contract review. The Public Protection Committee moved into a joint meeting with Finance Committee at 10:40am for the purpose of discussing delinquent fines and tax intercept. TRAFFIC TICKET INTERCEPT (JOINT MEETTING W /FINANCE COMMITTEE AT 10:40AM): Mehls commenced discussion regarding past due fines and ideas for potential collection and reported this is a priority item from the spring goal setting session. Discussion regarding persons who are gainfully employed and have the ability to pay and out -of- county and out -of -state violators. Discussion regarding the card swipe option for current fees. Speer reported the Public Protection Committee cannot go any further with this issue, citing Mehls has done the homework and they need the Finance Committee to go to the individual departments directly involved. Mehls presented a handout of possibilities for collections and briefly explained what is being done in other counties. Standafer commenced discussion regarding the additional costs involved with collection; Whiting commented on the ability to collect. Meyer reported that most of what is suggested is already being done and what is not being done is cost intensive. Malick commenced discussion regarding the salary requirements to collect and future collection attempts being cost effective. Discussion regarding the $2.4 million owed. Meyer presented reports from past tax intercept and reported there is pending legislation. Discussion regarding use of collection services. Finance Director Pietrick reported a contract was entered into with a collection agency two years ago but the Clerk of Court department was not involved. Severson and Meyer explained the restrictions and hardships of working with collection agencies. Standafer summarized of the $2.4 million owed, $1 million of the debt is over five years old. Discussion regarding not allowing that figure to grow. Discussion regarding license suspension; Discussion regarding judgments and garnishments; Meyer reported it is labor intensive to track down employers. Krueger requested clarification regarding what is expected of the Finance Committee. Speer responded the background and legwork has been done and asked the Finance Committee to move forward. Standafer suggested research of the other Wisconsin counties to discover those that are doing the best job with collections. Caflisch suggested they report back at the next meeting. Eric Johnson expressed his thoughts concerning high -priced fines presenting an economic hardship. The Public Protection Committee reconvened at 12:15pm to finalize their regular meeting. Discussion regarding DNR licenses, etc. Discussion regarding joint meetings with other committees. JAIL REPORT (continued at 12:20pm): Speer inquired and Humphrey reported not all the jail doors have been painted. Humphrey reported the jail inspection was done on June 27' h . The inspector will send a report and a copy will be provided to the committee members. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT (continued at 12:40pm): Borup requested clarification regarding the job descriptions revisions; Johnson provided updated descriptions for the following positions: Office Manager, Legal Secretary /Assistant, Victim Witness Coordinator and Victim Witness Assistant. f Johnson summarized he feels the key to an efficient office is the support staff. He reported he currently has an excellent staff and indicated he expects them to be fairly compensated. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the revisions /updates concerning the following job descriptions in the District Attorney's office: Office Manager, Legal Secretary /Assistant, Victim Witness Coordinator and Victim Witness Assistant. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding the county ought to have a personnel director /person or human resource person to go to with issues and questions. Meeting adjourned at: 1:03pm. John Borup, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary