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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 01-13-06 tY ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGENDA TO: Clarence Malick, County Board Chair FROM: Julie C. Speer, Chair COMMITTEE: PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE DATE: January 13, 2006 TIME: 8:30 A.M. LOCATION: Government Center, Hudson, WI ROLL CALL: ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: December 9, 2005 DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS: February 10th, 2006, March 7th, 2006 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Web Browser/Visions roll over, Office Manager Mary Martell 2. Debt Service /Traffic Tickets, Supervisor Mehls NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bills and Vouchers* 2. Capital Outlay /Maintenance Items* 3. Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik a. Contract 4. Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun 5. District Attorney Eric Johnson/ Victim Witness Ann Gustafson 6. Sheriff Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Patrol Capatain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Office Manager Mary Martell a. Expenditures: Drug Fund/Confiscated Acct /Jail Assessment b. Drug Court /Meth Committee c. Special Events Programs, Patrol Captain John Shilts d. Humane Society ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE *These items will be heard by each Department * *ADDITIONS /CHANGES /CORRECTIONS [Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.] SUBMITTED BY: Julie C. Speer DATE: December 28, 2005 COPIES TO: County Board Office Media/Notice Board County Board Clerk Committee Members Respective Department Heads PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING January 13, 2006 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Lori Bernard, Mark Erickson, Denise Gunderson and Chuck Mehls. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Sheriff's Dept. Office Manager Mary Martell, Patrol Captain John Shilts, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: William Mitchell College of Law student, Njock Eyong. Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next replar meeting will be February 10, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting in March will be on the 7' at 8:30am; the April meeting will be on the 13 at 8:30am. Motion by Bernard, 2 nd by Gunderson to approve the minutes of December 9, 2005. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented December Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $3,993.38. Motion by Bernard, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Swetlik stated that the software amount is for the 2006 package. Speer commented on the voucher review discussion at the last Administration Committee meeting; brief discussion regarding voucher review. Swetlik presented a 2005 summary and as well as the 2006 anticipation and stated the budget is healthy overall. Swetlik provided a handout concerning consideration of "Cremation Authorization Fee" and commenced discussion regarding financial hardships for families concerning funeral/burial costs. He has been approached by a funeral home concerning removal of the body when there is no guidance as to the families' wishes, in cases of limited finances or in such cases where there are no relatives. Swetlik reported he consulted with St. Croix County's Economic Support Agency for input. The funeral homes are concerned with the costs and they are requesting a waiver for the $100 cremation fee concerning hardship cases. Swetlik proposes the funeral homes contact the Medical Examiner whenever they determine it to be a hardship case and proposes that it be part of the Medical Examiner job description and not have to pay the deputy. If it appears there is no hardship then the family would pay the $100. Discussion regarding revising the job description. Motion by Speer, 2 nd by Gunderson to change the fee schedule and add the hardship cases to the Medical Examiner's job description. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER POSITION: Speer commenced discussion regarding the draft contract prepared by Timmerman and expressed her original concerns of having a head Medical Examiner who resides out of state. Discussion regarding conflict of interest. Bernard reported that a former board member had expressed concerns about the number of autopsies increasing and referred to past history. Discussion regarding the concern of the need for a qualified pathologist in case of court testimony and this being more of a factor in highly - populated, high - crime areas. Discussion that District Attorney Johnson understands Timmerman's concern of credibility issues. Discussion regarding the contract being a proposal and not an offer. Discussion regarding the potential for the number of autopsies increasing and losing the option to shop around if we contract with the out -of -state doctor. Brief break taken at 9:16am; reconvened at 9:20am Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived in the meeting at 9:21 am. Speer expressed to Timmerman, the committee's concerns of the contract. Discussion regarding the hesitations. Timmerman reported he drafted the contract according to his recommendations but that it is the committee's decision. Discussion regarding court testimony always being a possibility but the chances are minimal; Timmerman reiterated the statute requirement. Timmerman reported the contract was not a formal offer, the head Medical Examiner would not make the determination of the number of autopsies performed and the doctor has no interest in changing the office. The committee expressed their thanks to Timmerman for his work involved with drafting the proposed contract. Timmerman left the meeting at 9:35am. Motion by Bernard, 2nd by Erickson not to pursue restructuring the Medical Examiner department at this time. Carried unanimously. Discussion concerning the status of the Medical Examiner position and a contract being the most viable option. Discussion regarding taxes taken out of the compensation, etc., and to question the finance department on that issue. Discussion regarding pursuing the position as a contract position. Discussion regarding the procedure of having the Medical Examiner continue to report to the committee. Discussion regarding how much more work should be involved. Swetlik expressed his support of it being a contract position. Bernard stated the committee should review the job descriptions posted on the intranet as a result of the Springsted study. Swetlik will review the job descriptions and report back to the committee at the next meeting. Swetlik reported he would like to outline at the next meeting, guidelines for release of information concerning autopsy findings. In addition, he would like to discuss the fees associated with the release of information; one copy free to the family but charging law firms, etc. Swetlik reported on the purchase of the filing cabinets. $1,600 dollars has been budgeted for 2006 for the fire -proof filing cabinets. Swetlik asked Baker for bids and outlined that he could get three for $1,977 and be done with it and not have worry about an additional purchase in 2007. Motion by Gunderson, 2 by Mehls to approve one additional cabinet purchase. Carried unanimously. Swetlik commenced discussion regarding a deputy's appearance in the Wife Swap television program. Swetlik reported he spoke with the show's producer and since there is a one -to -two month time frame from filming the show to it being aired, the producer proposed that if there is any footage of St. Croix County, the committee could review it prior to the program being aired. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented bills in the amount of $1,639.66, and made a clarification concerning the search charge from Trans Union. Kapaun also explained the shredding requirements from downloading and printing federal documents. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Bernard to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun reported on budget revenue and stated the department will be coming in well under budget. Erickson commented that her budget is impressive. Kapaun presented the Outstanding Achievement Award the department received from the State Department of Workforce Development. Discussion regarding a press release; Speer suggested presenting it at the County Board meeting. Discussion regarding job descriptions; Kapaun did not have any revisions to the intranet - posted job descriptions. Kapaun commenced discussion on a reclassification for one of her employees who has taken on some case work responsibility. Kapaun questioned because Springsted has not yet been approved and with Kathan's departure -- what about her reclassification status? Kapaun feels strongly this person deserves the increase in pay, the committee concurs. Kapaun will continue to pursue. Kapaun presented the "Children First Program" handout and explained it is an employment program for the non - custodial parent. The idea is to get them on the job and get them paying child support. Kapaun stated that in the past they have not gone for it because of the cost and work involved, but now they have an agency to do the work. Kapaun outlined the pros and cons and asked for the committee's direction. Kapaun has had conversations with other counties. The consent was not given by the counties and the contracts have gone out. The state has awarded the money and they do not have an approved plan. Kapaun does not understand this and has concerns and yet she does not want to come across as uncooperative. The county can pick and choose what individuals are referred to the program. Erickson made the proposal to agree to it this year because of the money being there and then review whether to pursue next year. Discussion that state legislature should be made aware of this. Discussion regarding determining the program's success and judges being aware, etc. Motion by Erickson, 2" by Mehls that Kapaun be approved to authorize a one -year only commitment based upon the outcome of the conference call. Carried unanimously. Kapaun will draft a proposal depending on the outcome of the conference call. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: December bills in the amount of $13,900.19 were presented. Johnson clarified charges concerning Helmer printing and McQuillen mileage. Motion by Erickson 2nd by Bernard to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Johnson introduced Njock Eyong (N.J.) a law student from the William Mitchell College of Law, who is looking to do some volunteer work in the District Attorney's office. Bernard questioned Johnson concerning his thoughts on the Springsted study. Johnson indicated he is disappointed with the outcome concerning his office manager position and he feels strongly she was not given credit for what she does. Bernard explained the study is not final and that Johnson will have an opportunity to meet with Springsted representatives near the end of the month. SHERIFF'S REPORT: December Sheriff's Department bills in the amount of $47,700.13 were presented. Discussion regarding issues created by transferring funds for the purchase of digital recorders. Discussion regarding the reports Martell generates for the committee; Martell reported the Sage program reports show a time lag because of outstanding invoices and that the office reports she generates keep things up to date everyone informed. Discussion that if Sage is used properly the system could work much better for us. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Bernard to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Erickson questioned about using both Verizon and Nextel for communication, Hillstead explained this is because of coverage throughout the state. Hillstead stated the contract with Nextel will be up and Baker is looking into communication facilities. Hillstead reported the Sheriff's department is under budget approximately $200,000; revenues are up by at least $100,000. Hillstead reported that the Pierce St. Croix Humane Society has been taken over by the "Cats Meow Dogs Bark Animal Welfare Society ". Hillstead reported this company is proposing to charge $1,500 per year for each municipality that uses their facility. Discussion concerning what they would charge the county because of the length of stay, etc. The new owners have a new concept on animal welfare, as they mostly try to adopt out the animals. Discussion regarding vet costs, etc. Hillstead reported on the dogs that were being held as evidence; they have been placed in foster care and he is not aware of their location at this time. Hillstead questioned the Springsted study and what happens next. Bernard explained the job descriptions are being re- submitted to Springsted and there will be another report and department heads will have the opportunity to meet with Springsted representatives if necessary. Hillstead recommended a representative from the Personnel Committee be present at the next department head meeting. Hillstead reported two people were hired in the jail (lost two). Office staff is swamped due to employees being on maternity leave and having surgery. Martell reported the switch to new Visions System will be difficult because of maintaining two separate systems for three months; they may add temporary personnel. Martell reported on the aspects of the new program. Regarding revenue, Erickson asked for a line item entry on this and complimented Sheriff on the under budget report. Hillstead indicated that no concerts made a big difference this year. Discussion regarding police presence at the concerts and along the river; police presence has made an impact. PATROL CAPTAIN'S REPORT: Shilts presented a report concerning special event planning and reported he has consulted with Risk Manager Ziliak and is exploring what the options may be. The report has yet to be reviewed by Corporation Counsel. Discussion regarding the county adopting an ordinance to put these policies in place. The committee expressed their views that Shilts' report is very good and this issue will be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting. JAIL REPORT: December bills in the amount of $78,856.52 were presented. Discussion regarding obtaining price quotes from Baker and suggested the department use her as much as possible. Discussion regarding the cost for Dunn County room and board. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. r Hillstead reported on the water panel control; hopefully in the next thirty days something will take place. Hillstead reported the jail population is steady; meetings with drug court, judges are looking at the AODA treatment program as an option. The AODA counselor will start in February. Hillstead reported the door painting is still being working on. DELINQUENT FINE ISSUE: Mehls reported he would like to see someone take a lead on the past due fine issue. He wants to know an ad hoc committee will be formed to explore collection procedures and options and who will take the lead. Mehls indicated he would like to see a resolution to the WCA, WI Towns Association and the League of Municipalities, that St Croix County withhold state recreational licenses, etc. Speer indicated this is a Finance issue but this Committee could draft the resolution and see what happens. Mehls would like to see a composite committee. Bernard indicated unless there is support and interest from a group of individuals, it is unlikely there will be significant results. Discussion also took place regarding ongoing collections and improving collection rates on current fines. Mehls will draft a resolution to present at the next meeting regarding the delinquent fine issue but agrees the Finance Committee should take the lead on this. Meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m. Lori Bernard, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary