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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 05-12-06 ( 4 r Amended NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MAY 12, 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 - APRIL 13, 2006 DATE OF NEXT MEETING — TO BE DETERMINED OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser / Visions Update 2. Traffic Ticket Intercept 3. Bills and Vouchers* 4. Capital Outlay/Maintenance Items* 5. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. 2005 Wisconsin Act 230 — Organ and Tissue Donation 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, 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. Resolution Opposing AB 756 (regarding Sheriffs Department Patrol and Investigator costs shifted to the small municipality) ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING 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 3, 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. 5/3/2006 8:33 AM PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING May 12, 2006 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Chuck Mehls, Denise Gunderson, John Borup and Tom Dowd. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Office Manager Mary Martell, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Diversion Coordinator Lisa Multhauf, Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: None Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be June 14 at 8:30am. July meeting will be on the 13 at 8:30am. Motion by Mehls, 2 by Gunderson to approve the agenda. Motion by Gunderson 2 by Mehls to approve the minutes of April 13, 2006. Carried unanimously. The Committee decided the election of officers will be held at the June meeting. TRAFFIC TICKET INTERCEPT: Mehls reported that based on the goal setting session in April, this issue is one of the priority items. He asked that a committee be established from various departments and committees to be proactive with this matter. Mehls reported the public would like to see progress and the area newspapers are cooperative. Discussion regarding the process of withholding the issuance of license plate renewals, etc. Discussion regarding the Finance Director and Clerk of Court ought to have policies in place for this issue. Discussion regarding Mehls making a presentation during the open discussion at the County Board meeting. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented April Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $198.30. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Swetlik reported there are three outstanding autopsies. Swetlik presented a year -to -date activity handout and clarified the county pays for all autopsies related to potential criminal cases, industrial accidents, etc. and those autopsies are ordered by the Medical Examiner. Swetlik also presented a handout regarding department structure. Discussion regarding the differences between the titles of Medical Examiner and Coroner. Swetlik reported that most counties are transitioning to a Medical Examiner format. Swetlik presented documentation concerning the 2005 Wisconsin Act 230 regarding anatomical gifts. This Act requires the Medical Examiner to form an agreement with a tissue bank agency concerning all anatomical gifts. Swetlik reported there are two such agencies in this area, Life Source and RTI. Swetlik has researched and is comfortable with recommending and going with an agreement with RTI, as they offer biochemical cleansing. RTI also has an independent lab, thus the results are faster. Discussion regarding the sensitive issue of organ donation, especially if the donation is rejected. Swetlik feels it is important to team up with an agency that is most likely to accept the donor. Swetlik reported Corporation Counsel is reviewing the agreement. Discussion regarding less than 4% of the population is designated as potential organ donors. Swetlik indicated the sticker on the driver's license is not enough in the state of Wisconsin and the immediate family must approve the organ donation. However, the election on the driver's license is an important tool to commence discussion with family members. Swetlik presented the Paul Coverdell Forensic Improvement Grant handout. Swetlik feels this is an opportunity to equip his department and he will target for the grant request of $26,400. He has solicited help from state senators. Herb Kohl indicated he will send a letter, no reply from senator Kind yet. Swetlik reported he received the. Deputy Medical Examiner contracts from Corporation Counsel and they have been forwarded to the deputies for their review and potential signatures. Swetlik reported the need to organize to provide training for local law enforcement regarding OSHA requirements when a work related death is involved. Swetlik has organized with OSHA and will hold a town hall meeting on June 8th Short break taken at 9:25pm. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Administrator Kapaun presented April bills in the amount of $1,764.66. Motion by Borup, 2 °a by Dowd to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun clarified the April invoices regarding DNA lab testing, credit bureau checks, vital records charges, process server charges, etc. and also presented the annual budget status report. Process service costs continue to be high. Kapaun reported she is to examine her department's mission prior to the budget process. She outlined her mission and asked for any recommended changes from the committee before next month. Kapaun reported the vacant position in her department will be filled on July P Kapaun presented a brochure for the Children First Program, a program designed for parents who are not paying or are having difficulty paying their child support obligations. Kapaun reported that Judges can order the parents to enter into the program. The program helps the individual find employment, etc. This program is a potential source of revenue if it is successful. Kapaun reported there have been changes in legislation regarding the recovery of birth costs. In the past they could not request payments from low income fathers but now can recover half of the costs. Judges may decide if the individual is able to pay. Kapaun again praised Chad Wolske's work, reporting that as a rookie he continues to do an outstanding job. He was able to obtain two huge payments last month, resulting in approximately $60,000 in collections. Brief discussion regarding Kapaun's thoughts concerning the Springsted study. Kapaun reported that a major concern and continued priority for her department is the impending cuts in state funding and the work involved at the federal level to restore the cuts. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: April bills in the amount of $19,802.13 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Borup to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Johnson clarified the judgment of convictions charges. Johnson introduced Lisa Multhauf as the new Diversion Coordinator, reporting that Multhauf has replaced Liz Staberg and will be working 30 hours per week. Johnson explained the diversion process, indicating the cases are dismissed after a year if the participants complete the program successfully. Certain domestic cases, THC and marijuana possession (in some cases) and worthless checks, etc. are common instances for diversion program enrollment. Multhauf explained the court costs and fees, etc., as well as aspects of the individual counseling and criminal thinking counseling. Currently there are one - hundred fifteen cases; most are first time offenders with no prior felony convictions. The program is funded by a federal grant and is considered a middle ground between tough prosecution and no prosecution. Johnson summarized the program is so new that studies of success have yet to take place. Johnson outlined the goals and priorities for his department. Prosecution staffing continues to be a priority. Juvenile cases are suffering. Johnson reported he needs 3/10 of a position to staff the juvenile cases and he will continue to look to the state for grant funding and may ask the county to subsidize the cost. Discussion regarding the state shifting costs to the counties. Discussion regarding opening a "can of worms" and potential repercussions of having the county provide the funding. Johnson reported he received a call from CBS television concerning the Newman case. The case goes back to 1993 and there is nothing new, the evidence is still the same. Johnson reported that apparently the station is looking for material for a new show and indicated being short- staffed in his department would be a concern if effort is required for this matter. Johnson reported the drug court is going well and the young man currently enrolled is showing cooperation and doing well. SHERIFF'S REPORT: April bills were presented in the amount of $39,575.10. Motion by Mehls, 2 nd by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Hillstead reported on the budget, stating squad car purchases were a factor and that the budget is on track. Hillstead reported on the number of cars the county currently owns, indicating the figure is approximately 46 -47 vehicles. Hillstead reported there may be funding to get a new police dog as well as funding to do the training next year. The confiscated asset fund will help with costs if necessary. Brief discussion regarding the high cost of gasoline and its effect on the department. Hillstead reported the departments' gasoline costs are usually 30 -cents less than the pump price. Martell reported the water patrol is on track and the boat has been depreciated. Hillstead reported the boat that was iced in this winter never did sink and has since has been removed from the river. Discussion regarding Assembly Bill 756 appears to be dead in the water. This issue will be put on the back burner for now and Hillstead will report if it comes up again. Martell reported she filled a position in the Sheriff's Department office, a person from the Clerk of Court office will be starting. Martell also reported she and Shane attended a user group meeting for the new software. Hillstead reported there are two upcoming retirements, Mike Wakeling and Tom Vandeberg and reported he is building into the budget for their insurance costs. Mehls left the meeting at 11:19am. PATROL CAPTAIN'S REPORT: Shilts reported there has been one traffic related fatality so far this year and indicated six to ten per year is about average for a county this size. However, St. Croix County has been running twenty or so per year as of late. Shilts reported there will be testing for openings in the patrol unit. Out of ninety applicants, thirty will perform written and agility testing. From there they will narrow it down to twelve or so for interviews. Interviews will be conducted in early June. Hillstead reported they have been approved for the click -it or tick -et grant. This will help enforce all kinds of traffic issues, the emphasis being on safety restraints. Shilts reported five cameras are in place in the squads and things are going fairly well. Shilts explained that in OWI related cases the tapes cut down on initial court appearances and serve as excellent evidence. Safety for the officer is a benefit as well. Shilts reported they are working on grants to have the radios updated. He also reported the new light bars on the squads are a benefit. Shilts invited the committee to look at the new equipment in the squad cars. JAIL REPORT: April bills in the amount of $34,054.52 were presented. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Speer to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Hillstead clarified some of the costs concerning the pepper ball gun, prescription drug charges, urine sample costs, etc. Hillstead reported there are problems with the dishwasher and it needs replacement. Maintenance will work with Baker and research prices. Discussion regarding the jail numbers continue to be down and it is unclear why, as arrests are up and there is high volume through the courts at the present time. Meth arrests have been down, which could be a factor. Brief discussion regarding meth use and the new ways violators produce it. Hillstead reported there have been a couple of confiscations concerning the relatively new Khat drug. This drug originated in Somalia and is being passed thru to Chicago. Hillstead explained it is a green plant that is wrapped to keep moist and shipped in cardboard boxes and reported the effect of the drug is similar to that of speed. Hillstead presented hotel -rate bills for approval. Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Mehls to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Hillstead reported there is a possible grant for forensic computer courses and software to investigate child porn cases, etc. Discussion regarding upcoming concerts this summer in Somerset. Hillstead reported there are two scheduled. Discussion regarding the officer presence and raids along the river being quite effective last year. Discussion regarding the necessity for a scheduled person in the communication center, as the volume of instances is not there like it has been previously. The officer presence is making a difference. Discussion regarding the positive relationship currently between the Sheriff's Department and Somerset and because of the department's actions, there is a whole new cooperation that has not been there in the past. ting adjourned at: 1 2am. i n Amy eurkink, Reco ing Secretary