HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeth Advisory Committee 07-26-05 ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGENDA
TO: Chair Clarence Malick, St. Croix County Board
FROM: Esther Wentz, Chair
COMMITTEE TITLE: Meth Advisory Committee
DATE: July 26, 2005
TIME: 7:00 p.m. * *NOTE TIME CHANGE **
LOCATION: Community Room — St. Croix County Government Center (lower level)
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Setting Goals for Committee
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Tim Ramberg, Highway Commissioner
a. Adopt -A- Highway
b. Highway Signs
2. Set Dates and Times for Future Meetings
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOURNMENT
SUBMITTED BY: Esther Wentz
COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board
County Clerk Committee Members
*Additions /Changes /Corrections
(Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.)
7/21/2005
St. Croix County Meth Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -- July 26, 2005
Chairman Esther Wentz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Secretary Yvonne Larsen — verbal roll call.
Members Present: Esther Wentz, Doreen Rivard, Dennis Hillstead, Barbara Nelson, Linda
Robertson, Katie Deatherage, Eric Johnson, Steve Kirt, Yvonne Larsen.
Guests Present: Tim Ramberg, Ron Favor
Excused Absence: Lori Bernard, Denise Gunderson. Absent: Dennis Benson
Next Meetings: Monday, August 8 @ 6:30 p.m. and Monday, August 22" at 3:00 p.m. Same
location.
Adoption of Agenda — Motion made by Barb, seconded by Katie. Motion carried.
Approval of July 12 Meeting Minutes
Linda Robertson asked for clarification of the word "control" as presented in Mission Statement and
was advised that it was a reference to local law enforcement and legislation. Motion made by Steve
and seconded by Barb to approve minutes. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Tim Ramberg of County Highway Dept. provided information on Adopt -a- Highway program and
presented a video that is supplied to all groups involved in the program. Of 350 miles of county
road, about 187 miles are currently adopted. County program closely mirrors state program, which
allows people to be located in the road right of way. MUTD manual — county, state and federal
guidelines. All signs need to be approved by Zoning Committee. Currently there are up to 30 signs
per mile in certain locations. Tim stated he is planning removal of some signs to bring number per
mile down to 26. Funds from fines for .08 alcohol abuse are being used to make certain signs larger
in size. Sign posts are now non - arsenic but are decomposing at a faster rate. Reflectivity material
on signs is checked annually in night darkness. 3M and AAA have chosen three counties in
Wisconsin, including St. Croix, to do "eyeball study" to learn where human eyes focus when
approaching road signs. Grade 3 diamond surface is improving signs. Litter pick up for highway
program requires groups to clean area 3 times per year. If a particular group is not meeting
minimum pick up, another group may petition for that area of highway. Program is based on 2 mile
minimum clean up for each participating group. Orange safety vests are provided to all participants.
Video has been revised and speaks to people staying away from any suspicious materials including
drug paraphernalia. Hudson is a "high visibility community" and sign placement is more restrictive
than other nearby counties (an example is mixing colors of signs attached to a post is allowed in Polk
County and would not be approved in St. Croix County). Dave Fodroczi, Mike Murtha and Bob
Bezek were given as references to provide more detailed information.
Doreen asked if excess signs that will be removed could be re -used. Tim suggested our group check
with Mike. Regulatory and non - regulatory signs cannot be combined. Doreen asked about accepted
colors for signs and Tim responded that the MUTD manual needs to be consulted to determine
accepted colors for signs. Tim recommended that if our group decides to pursue the program, that
all information be placed onto one sign. The wooden sign posts have holes drilled near the base
which will break off if hit by car and avoid impact to passengers. Doreen stated that she will obtain
donations to purchase posts for signs. Tim advised of precise sign placement requirements (33' from
center line which is increased if a slope exists on the terrain).
Committee Goals
Steve began by referring to SWOT ( Strengths /Weaknesses /Opportunities /Threats).
The group developed the following goals: (not in order of priority)
1. Develop strategies to make Meth information more visible in community.
2. Further educate our committee itself as to the effects of Meth and its impact on the
individual.
3. Develop plan to work with/help /follow up with schools on developing an age specific
curriculum (Eric advised his office has provided information and power point presentation to
schools and plans to do again this year. Sheriff Hillstead advised that there is currently a 6
week program in place at the 5 th grade level which deals with drugs, violence and alcohol
abuse.
4. To link with organizations /initiatives to foster prevention.
5. Link with other organizations that are addressing Meth issues.
The group ranked the goals and chose #1 as most important, followed by #3.
Linda commented about whether our group should be developing curriculum for schools without
their approval or input. It was suggested that a sub - committee be considered which would
coordinate any developments directly with school personnel.
The following strategies were developed by group:
1. Learn what information is already available to community
2. Research available literature to provide to community
3. Develop plan to disseminate information (ex: booths at fairs)
4. Develop speaker forum addressing various Meth issues
5. Utilize community organizations (both secular and faith based) to get word out (Sheriff
Hillstead advised that he was approached by Hudson Ministerial Association to ask how they
could help and get involved in community)
6. Work with media to get word out
7. Develop county brochure to be placed in libraries, tech schools, churches, hospitals, etc.
(Katie mentioned that she has an interest in this project).
Steve asked group to rank strategies. #2 received top priority, followed by a tie #3/ #5.
All strategies need development of action plans.
All group members to bring action plan ideas to next meeting. Goal for next meeting is to develop
strategies for Goal #2.
Doreen and Denise handed out Meth button at county fair and received great response from people.
Rick Favor stated that he is a recovering Meth addict and strongly believes that the only program
that can really make a difference in recovery is faith based. Teen Challenge is highly recognized as
a successful program. They receive public funding but have to provide an option other than religion
for clients to go through their program. Yvonne advised that Teen Challenge will be at Faith
Community Church's Sunday service on August 21. Steve advised that some treatment facilities
have done a 10 year study and have stated that they are unsure of reversal of Meth's effect. A 15
year study in Hawaii found that reversal can occur.
Doreen reported $1,003.48 in treasury. Group applauded her efforts, as she raised this money
entirely by her own efforts. She recently solicited donations from Wal Mart and created a tent for
the county fair.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Esther reported that September is Meth Month for our county.
Red Ribbon Week will again be in October.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Yvonne Larsen, Secretary