Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 08-16-06 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE AUGUST 16, 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 — July 17, 2006 DATE OF NEXT MEETING — September 7, 2006 — 8:30am OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser / Visions Update 2. Traffic Ticket Intercept 3. County Energy Policy 4. Bills and Vouchers* 5. Budget 2007* a. Positions 6. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. National Institute for Justice (NIJ) Grant b. Deputy Medical Examiner Contracts 7. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun a. Process Server Fees 8. District Attorney Eric Johnson / Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson a. Process Server Fees 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. Nurse Position/Contract 1. Other Contracts d. State Jail Inspection e. National Institute for Justice (NU) Grants 10. Recess at 10:00am (time tentative) to attend meeting with the Drug Court Team and Matthew Frank, Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections ** 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: August 7, 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. 8/7/2006 12:29 PM PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING August 16, 2006 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Denise Gunderson, John Borup and Tom Dowd. Absent and excused: Chuck Mehls. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Office Manager Mary Martell, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Child Support Director Katy Kapaun, and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: Others were present during the Drug Court meeting. For a complete listing, see attached copy of sign -in sheet on page six of this report. Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be September 7 th at 8:30am. The October meeting will be on the 11 at 8:30am. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Borup to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Borup to approve the minutes of July 17, 2006. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented July Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $8,264.09. Motion by Borup, 2 by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik presented July expenses and year -to -date budget, provided clarification concerning the autopsies listed and reported the calls for service are right on track. Swetlik also reported cremations are ahead but indicated they are reimbursable. Swetlik explained the difficulties with predicting the number of autopsies for 2007, as the autopsy predictions have such an impact on the budget. Swetlik summarized the current Medical Examiner's budget as revenue ahead, expenses below. Swetlik. reported on the death investigation at the Health Center, citing a conflict of interest and the decision to transfer authority from the St. Croix County Medical Examiner's office to the Pierce County Coroner's office and explained the decision was in the best interest of the county. Swetlik reported Corporation Counsel expressed concern whether the Medical Examiner has the authority to request copies of policies from a company or organization when it relates to a death investigation. Swetlik presented the "Authority to Secure Policies" handout, which indicates the opinions of the State of Wisconsin Division of Vital Records, the St. Croix County District Attorney and the Wisconsin Attorney General's office. Discussion regarding the Wisconsin Statutes concerning this issue, conflicts of interest, transferring authority to other counties and the financial responsibilities remaining with the jurisdiction. Speer reminded Swetlik of the budget meeting on August 28 DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Halverson presented July bills in the amount of $18,919.77. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Halverson clarified the document camera charges and explained its capabilities. Halverson reported the budget is on track overall but indicated the costs for professional services (expert witnesses, etc.) are somewhat over and investigation services such as subpoenas, etc. are a bit over as well. Speer presented a copy of a letter from Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson concerning the Voca Grant in the amount of $9,090.00 and the supplemental grant in the amount of $1,561.00 concerning the Legal Advocate Program and also a copy of a letter concerning a check from the State of Wisconsin in the amount of $37,459.86 as reimbursement for the cost of the Victim/Witness Program. Speer reminded Halverson of the August 28 Public Protection budget review meeting. Halverson referred to the handout regarding the District Attorney budget and reported they used Procurement Specialist Dana Baker for pricing of the office furniture. Discussion regarding position approval status. Halverson will put together a report for the budget meeting. Halverson reported the county has looked at options concerning off -site storage and plans to utilize a facility in New Brighton, Minnesota. Halverson reported the District Attorney's office plans to store records in that particular facility. Discussion regarding the inconvenience of a storage site of that distance from St. Croix County. Discussion regarding who made the decision and is it the best scenario. Discussion regarding the County Board not being informed; Speer indicated she will contact Whiting and asked that the County Clerk's office be informed to place this item on the agenda for the September County Board meeting. Halvorson explained the storage cost depends on size of boxes, the level of security and frequency of access, etc. Discussion regarding record retention, scanning of documents and shredding of documents. Halverson reported they had looked at four separate facilities and indicated the other sites were not near the standards of the New Brighton facility and not suitable. Halverson reported the first shipments of files are scheduled for September 18 & 19 CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kapaun presented July bills in the amount of $1,471.80. Motion by Gunderson, 2 "d by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun reported there was nothing unusual in the expenses and reported she had implemented the change referred to at the last meeting regarding reimbursement for certain cases concerning process service fees. Kapaun presented the budget status report and reported the paper service is leveling out a bit and reported other professional services such as credit bureau reporting agencies are a factor. Kapaun summarized there are no concerns with her budget, the revenue is strong and the budget is healthy overall. Kapaun reported collections last month of $955,000 and of that amount there was an unexpected collection of $30,000. Kapaun reported it to be a nice surprise on everyone's part and reported her department was especially pleased for the family. Kapaun reported the fall conference is in Eau Claire and expressed she feels it is a great opportunity for six staff to attend the training because of its close proximity. -2- Speer reminded Kapaun of the budget meeting scheduled for August 28 SHERIFF'S REPORT: Hillstead presented the March through August 2005 officer shift activity report and explained that for a patrol officer to be effective he or she must spend at least 40% of the time on patrol with the remaining time responding to calls and preparing paperwork. Hillstead indicated his department is seeking an increase for an additional patrol officer for the afternoon shift, citing the population increase as a main reason. In addition, his department is seeking to add two clerical staff because they will be implementing dictation/transcription instead of the deputies writing their own reports. Hillstead reported Shilts has done the research from other counties and they are looking at 25 -50% savings by using dictation/transcription. Hillstead summarized the cost will be a bit higher initially because of the purchase of office furniture and dictation machines, etc. but much more efficient in the long term. Hillstead presented a copy of and provided clarification of the Temporary Help Request Form. Hillstead reported the liability insurance increase is unpredictable and could have a substantial impact on the budget. Discussion regarding budgeting for fuel, Hillstead indicated they may have to budget for at least $3 per gallon for fuel. Discussion regarding finding ways to reduce the overall budget. Hillstead will present his proposed budget and new position requests at the August 28 budget meeting. Hillstead reported they are in the process of revising the phone system in the jail and stated he has received bids from three different companies. He selected one and is having Corporation Counsel review the contract. Hillstead reported they are looking at two companies (Health Professionals, LTD and Advanced Correctional Healthcare) to provide jail medical services and provided a handout that indicated the services of each company. Hillstead reported the remainder of the year will cost approximately $30,000 instead of the $75,000 previously referred to. Hillstead highlighted the various options of each company and reported they are leaning toward Health Professionals, LTD at this point. Humphrey clarified some of the mental health services provided by Health Professionals, LTD. The Public Protection Committee adjourned their regular meeting at 10:00am and attended the Drug Court meeting at 10:05am. DRUG COURT MEETING: Matthew Frank, Secretary of the Wisconsin State Department of Corrections commenced discussion regarding drug court programs and acknowledged the need for the programs is great. Frank reported the Department of Corrections recognizes that Meth and other drug addictions are an enormous problem and stated he appreciates the organized efforts in St. Croix County. Discussion regarding drug/meth court resources and state funding. Judge Vlack summarized how the drug court transpired in St. Croix County, reporting it was a pilot program at first and explained the cost of the drug court is substantially lower than incarceration. -3- 4 Steve Kirt presented a handout entitled the Intensive Outpatient Program Schedule and highlighted the sessions, etc. He reported the program helps individuals learn the necessary skills for success and reported a success rate of 60 -70 %. Kirt emphasized they are seeking funds from the state to put together a solid program. Discussion regarding the Drug Court Coordinator position being crucial to the success of the program. Discussion regarding the state providing funds to assist with the fight against meth. Discussion regarding the tremendous interest in the TAD grant, as twenty -five counties have put in applications. Discussion regarding the good news being that many counties have the interest and the bad news being the $750,000 in grant money will not be enough. Discussion regarding the actions of the drug court and dealing with individuals locally by taking people who were headed to prison and placing them into the drug court program. Discussion regarding dozens of people can and will benefit from the program and the hope that the state will continue to fund the efforts. Frank recognized the common interests of those involved and acknowledged state budgets are tight and stated they are committed to working with the courts. Discussion regarding finding find ways to deal with those that are sentenced to prison. Discussion regarding redundancy and behavioral problems of offenders. Hillstead indicated it depends on where they are at and cited the downward spiral is a problem. He reported aggressive behavior from meth users can be a problem and creates extra time, effort and cost on behalf of the department. Hillstead also indicated a desire among meth addicts to cause self - inflicted injuries, resulting in suicide watch, mental health hours, etc. In addition, dental and medical expenses have increased; costs per inmate have increased. Discussion regarding what type of violators are candidates for the drug court program, the effects on families and children and that many offenders have a chance at regaining custody of their children because of drug court success. Families are supportive and the response has been positive. Discussion regarding the average age of violators and juvenile offenders, the options for treatment including halfway houses, long -term treatment propositions and a range of treatment options available for individual treatment of violators. Frank complimented those present at the meeting for their efforts as well as the St. Croix County Board and local law enforcement, etc., and thanked them for their work and assured them the state will keep working to support their efforts. The Public Protection Committee reconvened their regular meeting at 10.58am. SHERIFF'S REPORT (continued): July bills were presented in the amount of $94,026.84. Motion by Borup, 2 °a by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Hillstead clarified the charge for the Pierce County drug grant (reimbursement to St. Croix County). Hillstead reported the transport costs have really increased this year and restitution is difficult to obtain. Discussion regarding hiring companies to transport and whether judges could order restitution as part of bail. -4- i Hillstead reported he is working with Baker concerning the phone service and indicated they are going with Nextel, as Baker was able to negotiate a significant reduction on the cost. Hillstead highlighted the Nextel options as well as the costs. JAIL REPORT: July bills in the amount of $61,532.73 were presented. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding the prescription drug cost savings under the new contract. Humphrey commenced discussion regarding the jail inspection/survey. She reported they received a very good report overall and briefly highlighted what could use improvement. The committee congratulated Humphrey on the positive jail report. Humphrey reported they are working on the nurse position/medical expenses and indicated Health Professionals, LTD will save an enormous amount of staff time. Discussion regarding strict limitations concerning special diets requested by inmates due to medical conditions and/or religious beliefs. Humphrey reported that Dunn County had a recent suicide in their jail facility. Hillstead reported briefly on the traffic ticket/tax intercept issue and indicated he and Clerk of Court Lori Meyer are weighing the factors and identifying the costs involved with designating someone for warrant pick -ups. Discussion regarding the effect this could have on other county departments. Speer reported the Finance Committee is supposed to move ahead on the traffic ticket /tax intercept issue. Hillstead reported he has been asked to speak at the Wisconsin Counties Association meeting in September. Hillstead reported they need an additional $13,000 to pay for the washer and dryers in the jail and requested a line item transfer from the jail assessment fund. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Speer to take up to $13,000 from the jail assessment fund to purchase the washer and dryers. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at: 11:28am John Borup, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary *See attached sign -in sheet for drug court meeting. -5- *SIGN -IN SHEET / DRUG COURT MEETING AUGUST 16 2006 rou f hoc_._ ri�uc�wrT4 hum Per �� ,�; `Col, ,,,, u- L �.f C ✓. �.__ �� t <��% "�.. /rte. -6-