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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 11-10-06 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 10, 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 — October 11, 2006 DATE OF NEXT MEETING — To be announced — joint session with Finance Committee OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser / Visions Update 2. Traffic Ticket Collections 3. Bills and Vouchers* 4. Budget 2007* 5. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. Wisconsin Act 230 6. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun 7. District Attorney Eric Johnson / Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson 8. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey (excused), Office Manager Mary Martell 9. * *Jerry Sulivan, citizen (re: Rabion Auto Repair) — approximately 10:30am 10. * *Constable Assistance, Supervisor Struemke 11. * *New Dog Shelter 12. Storage facility/Business Data Record Services (BDRS) - approximately 11:00am 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: November 2, 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. 11/7/2006 7:21 AM PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING November 10, 2006 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Denise Gunderson, John Borup, Chuck Mehls and Tom Dowd. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Patrol Sergeant Jeff Klatt, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support Director Katy Kapaun, District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Building Services Manager Ralph Robole and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Cranmer, Chuck Struemke, Jerry Sullivan, Alex Sullivan, John Lapakko and Susan Lapakko. Press: Jeff Holmquist, New Richmond News. Meeting called to order at 8:30am by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be December 12, 2006 at 8:30am. In addition, a joint meeting with the Finance Committee will be held on December 14, 2006 concerning the storage issue. Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Gunderson to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Borup to approve the minutes of October 11, 2006. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented October Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $5,682.72. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik presented the year -to -date activity summary report and summarized his department is over the estimated revenue and under estimated expenses. Brief discussion regarding investigation jurisdiction. Swetlik presented a handout that addresses the issue of body removal by area funeral homes and the issues concerning cost and reimbursement. Swetlik explained these are typically traffic fatality situations and no autopsies are involved. Swetlik reported the calls to the funeral homes historically have been geographically driven and are on a rotation -type basis and involve clearing the scene as quickly as possible. Swetlik reported some funeral homes want to be reimbursed for the removal service while others feel the family has already been billed a removal fee and they should not receive additional reimbursement from the county. Swetlik reported it has never been a line item in the budget. Discussion regarding the county paying the removal costs and it is up to the county to try and recoup costs. Discussion regarding the families' responsibility, indigent situations and how other counties handle this issue. Discussion regarding a reasonable fee to pay for the removal service, what is involved with the removal /transport, the necessity of the service and immediate response. Swetlik reported he needs the service and wants the funeral homes to be willing to respond. Discussion regarding further research of this issue after Swetlik's meeting with Dean Anderson (Regional President of the Funeral Homes Association for St. Croix County). Discussion regarding how it may affect the budget. Swetlik provided a handout concerning the prescription drug Fentanyl, outlined the St. Croix County deaths associated with the drug and outlined what his office is currently doing to bring public awareness of the dangers of the drug. Swetlik also cited an article in "The Examiner" newsletter concerning Fentanyl. Discussion regarding the challenges and what is being done in St. Croix County. The committee commended Swetlik on his excellent efforts concerning this issue. TRAFFIC TICKET COLLECTION /OVER DUE FINES: Cramer provided the committee members with a memo concerning the Collection Clerk position and reported there is money out there and we ought to go get it. Speer reported this is a Finance Committee issue and the Public Protection Committee cannot do anything; discussion this issue was not on the Finance Committee's last agenda and why the roadblock. Cranmer described some of the state law requirements of the software involved for collection purposes and reported he has explored some capabilities; discussion regarding secure but accessible software. Mehls reported there is a splintering of information and commenced discussion regarding compiling that information into an internal database. Discussion regarding the time involved with the Clerk of Court's office, as it is time consuming to get the information compiled. Borup commenced discussion regarding the Clerk of Court needs to be the lead on this issue; Cranmer indicated he has met with the Clerk of Court and they have discussed exploring the options. Discussion regarding the salary involved with the Collection Clerk position and would the expense be covered. Discussion regarding tracking the influence of the position and whether interest and /or fees could be charged to offset the collection costs. Discussion concerning the difficulty of finding the right person for the collection clerk position as the position involves time consuming work and involves determining an individuals' ability to pay. Kapaun reported the Child Support Department is experienced at collection work and she has people that work at a high rate of efficiency. Kapaun indicated she does not see a huge roadblock to the success of the collections and indicated she would be willing to sketch out a plan with the Clerk of Court. Discussion regarding the Finance Department would have to properly allocate the collection work involved. The committee complimented Cramer on his efforts reporting he has created renewed energy and interest for this issue. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kapaun provided October bills in the amount of $2,091.67. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun clarified the ten dollar process server charge, explaining it was an unsuccessful attempt to serve. Kapaun presented the budget status report and reported she may request to move some medical /dental expenses to the professional services category and if so, reported she will need committee approval. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Dowd to approve the request. Carried unanimously. Kapaun reported her department had approximately $895,000 collections last month. -2- Kapaun reported the St. Croix County Child Support Department results of the state performance standards were very good and her department exceeded the requirements. Kapaun reported this was done even with an increase in cases and fewer staff and she commended her excellent staff. Kapaun reported she attended a state summit to discuss the 2008 looming budget cuts and it was suggested the cuts could be as much as thirty - percent (30 %). Kapaun reported a move toward centralizing services may be implemented to reduce costs and cited some of the areas in which the centralization may occur: • A state -wide call center for commonly asked questions • Administrative enforcement (license suspensions, etc.) • Financials (entering court orders, generating income assignments, etc.) • Printing and mailing processing center for frequent correspondence, etc. Kapaun reported there was also discussion of the elimination of the Children -First Program with a proposal to implement some of the above items. In addition, there was suggestion of privatizing the inter -state cases which Kapaun reported would have a tremendous impact on St. Croix County. Kapaun summarized there is nothing happening right now but the ideas could have a great impact on her department and depending on what happens she may not need her current staff level. Discussion regarding the long- distance relationship and the impact on sensitive /intimate cases; Kapaun responded the depersonalization can be a benefit in some ways. Kapaun reported there are some bigger ideas out there such as the Wisconsin Counties Association role in assuming health insurance and the time recording of certain activities that would determine state funding. Short break taken at 10:12am DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Office Manager Cathy Halverson presented October bills in the amount of $23,570.41. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. JERRY SULLIVAN / RABION AUTO REPAIR (10:30AM): Speer welcomed those attending the meeting for this matter and explained this committee cannot take action but is willing to hear the issue. Jerry Sullivan introduced himself stating he is a Star Prairie, Wisconsin resident and commenced discussion concerning what he feels is criminal behavior by Raboin Auto Repair. Sullivan reported his account of the events from approximately November 5, 2005 to present and expressed his frustrations of the year -long period of trying to get his truck back from Raboin and the hardship of not having the truck for his business. Sullivan described his various attempts to contact Raboin, described an encounter which he perceived as a threat and provided pictures of how his truck looked when he finally did receive it back. He reported his transmission had been removed from his truck and feels this is a criminal matter and expressed frustration with the District Attorney's office and the Sheriffs Department for not taking action. Sullivan reported he has heard of several incidences of other persons being scammed by Raboin and something must be done to stop this operation. He summarized this has been a stressful and embarrassing -3- situation for he and his family, his kids are intimidated at school, etc. and reported too many other citizens have been scammed as well. Sullivan thanked the committee for its time. John Lepakko introduced himself, reporting he is a resident of Mendota Heights, Minnesota and reported he was present at the meeting on behalf of his wife and himself. He provided their account of the events that transpired after they hired Raboin Auto Repair in June 2005. Lepakko reported he never signed a repair order and the signature on the document is a forgery. He reported Raboin is in violation of Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter ATCP 132 and summarized a community should not have to put up with this type of operation and indicated people are reluctant to come forward because of fear, school relationships, intimidation, etc. Lepakko reported they contacted several departments at St. Croix County and yet nothing has been accomplished. Susan Lapakko reported she became more suspicious when she heard Raboin's name from a person in southern Minnesota and it prompted her to do further research. She has set up the following website: www.Stopraboin.com and reported people have found the site and posted their stories. Lapakko reported there is an easy link to the District Attorney and the Sheriff Department on the website so that people can keep the pressure on. The following is what the group is asking of the Public Protection Committee concerning Raboin Auto Repair: Direct the Sheriff to: • Investigate the forgery of Lapakko's signature • Investigate the theft of Jerry Sullivan's transmission • Document concerns of fraud • Begin investigation of Raboin business practices Direct the District Attorney to: ■ Pursue civil and criminal charges for violation of Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter ATCP 132 Direct both offices to: • Stop telling people there's nothing they can do • Direct both offices to answer their mail Discussion regarding township ordinances, etc. and it was suggested the group speak with the Town Chairman concerning the situation. Discussion regarding the Attorney General can shut down this type of operation but needs referral by the District Attorney. Sheriff Hillstead reported he submitted complaints four times to the District Attorney's office and he referred thirty -one complaints to the Attorney General's office. Speer reported it was unfortunate the District Attorney was not in attendance to hear this matter. The group thanked the Committee and left the meeting at 11:17am. SHERIFF'S REPORT: Hillstead reported there are no October bills to present at this time as Office Manager Mary Martell is at a Visonaire conference in South Carolina and Jail Captain Karen Humphrey is training and teaching at a Jail Administrator's school. Hillstead reported the October and November bills for both the Sheriff's Department and the Jail will be presented for approval at the December meeting. -4- Hillstead reported a second young woman has died as a result of a recent auto accident bringing the number of fatalities to nine so far this year. Hillstead reported accident numbers are up but fatalities are dropping because of better vehicles, better roads and effective medical personnel. Discussion regarding the "little black box" in almost all newer vehicles. Hillstead reported the jail population remains stable and the Huber numbers remain down. Hillstead reported he has made contacts for bed space rental. Discussion regarding INS holdings and the use of interpreters, etc. Hillstead introduced Jeff Klatt as the new patrol sergeant and reported he is coming along very well. Hillstead reported on the status of the donation program for the canine unit. Hillstead reported there has been a series of daytime burglaries, many at construction sites and reported there is a warrant out for one individual concerning home burglaries. He explained stolen merchandise is sold and the cash is used primarily for drugs. Hillstead reported a deputy spends a day a week entering stolen property into a data base, contacting pawn shops, comparing serial numbers, etc. He indicated this process is effective and the pawn shops are required to give up the merchandise once it is identified. Discussions regarding where pawn shops are located; Hillstead reported there are none in St. Croix County, a couple in Polk and Eau Claire Counties, but most are in the Twin Cities metro area. computer investigation area naming the efforts 'll ad reported the are moving ahead in the com g Hi ste g p g P Y of Shawn Demulling, who has attended training in D.C. for forensic computer work. Hillstead reported there are still no further findings of meth labs in the county and indicated the awareness efforts have had a significant effect in St. Croix County. He reported meth distribution is still out there but there are fewer new users, etc. Discussion regarding the AODA counselor program is working and paying off; the average AODA program cost is $6,000 vs the $30,000 cost of incarceration. STORAGE FACILITY: Building Services Manager Ralph Robole was present for the storage facility issue and he reported quite a bit of material has gone to storage allowing for more on -site file storage. Robole indicated the files sent to off -site storage are not meant to be accessed. Discussion regarding the specific need to store large equipment out of the government center building. Discussion regarding funds spent for off -site storage when they could be put toward a county owned storage facility. Discussion regarding storage security. Short break taken at 11:46am. CONSTABLE POSITION: Struemke commenced discussion regarding trained Constables and their benefit to the community. He reported he is a graduate of the law enforcement course from Chippewa Valley Technical College. -5- Struemke presented a letter of recommendation from Michael Peterson of the Town of Washington, Eau Claire County and also provided a copy of his letter to Sheriff Hillstead concerning Constable enhancement to law enforcement. He is requesting county support for the Townships to put together a group of well- trained Constables and explained the expanded training course and the background check process involved, etc. Struemke presented his proposed/draft resolution for the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department to support the towns in the development of their Constables. Discussion concerning the town board determines the duties, the decision is up to the individual towns and the county cannot instruct townships what to do. Struemke reported there is active Constable patrol in Troy Township and are by far the most active Constables. He gave as an example, the Troy Byrne development and how Constables were effective in burglary prevention at the time the development was being built. Struemke reported the back roads of the township are not always routinely patrolled; Gunderson responded she is aware of regular patrol in the rural area in which she resides. Discussion concerning the process of how Constables report a crime; Struemke reported there is no definite policy currently in place and they would follow Sheriff guidelines. Discussion concerning deputizing Constables, Hillstead reported he no longer deputizes municipal officers because of liability issues and indicated his position is it is a township issue and he doesn't make a judgment. Discussion the Wisconsin Towns Association recommends that towns eliminate the Constable position. Hillstead reiterated his stance of not deputizing Constables; stating it is simply a liability issue and he is not willing to accept it for himself or the county and he takes the same stance concerning municipal officers. He indicated Corporation Counsel and Risk Management have studied the level of liability. Hillstead acknowledged Constables could be a benefit to handle town ordinance issues. Hillstead reported the word "deputizing" should be removed from the draft resolution as well as the word "policy "; the County Board cannot order the Sheriff's Department to deputize someone; the Sheriff is the policy maker for the Sheriff's office. Discussion concerning extra eyes and ears are always a good idea, discussion regarding providing assistance as a Constable vs a private citizen, etc. Mehls suggested a viable option for Constables could be the Community Emergency Response Team; discussion regarding the additional impact on the emergency dispatch center. Discussion regarding some towns electing not to have Constables act as law enforcement agencies. Struemke stated he feels he is "being attacked" and the county should support the towns if they choose to have Constables. Discussion regarding the population growth in St. Croix County; Struemke reported the Department of Justice recommends one law enforcement person for every five - hundred (500) citizens. Dowd suggested Struemke bring it to the Town Board(s); Struemke responded he would like to present the resolution with the Sheriff's Department support. Hillstead reiterated it is a town choice, period. Gunderson commenced discussion regarding neighborhood watch programs and their value, indicating neighbors are working together and looking out for one another with little organization. -6- Hillstead reported he was offended by Struemke's insinuation that Hillstead has a problem with the Public Protection committee and summarized he will never deputize Struemke. Struemke asked how the Public Protection Committee will bring this issue to the County Board. Speer asked the Committee members if they wanted to vote or table the matter; the committee determined not to vote, not to table, the conversation is done and discussion is over. Struemke left the meeting at 12:49pm DOG SHELTER: Gunderson reported she was approached by a couple of people in Star Prairie who were upset the county does not have an animal shelter; Gunderson told them the county cannot afford a shelter. They asked about volunteer efforts to establish a shelter and inquired about the county farm buildings and whether the county would consider allowing them to have a shelter in the building(s). They indicated funding would be by donations. Discussion regarding the feasibility of the farm buildings; heating would be a hardship, etc. Meeting adjourned at 1:12pm John Borup, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary Minutes Approved: December 12, 2006 -7-