HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 09-07-05 ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGENDA
TO: Clarence Malick, St. Croix County Board
FROM: Julie C. Speer, Chair
COMMITTEE TITLE: PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
DATE: September 7, 2005
TIME: 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: St. Croix County Government Center, Hudson, WI
ROLL CALL
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: August 12th and August 17th
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: October 6, 2005, Regular Meeting 8:30 A.M.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Web Browser
2. Debt Service /Traffic Tickets
3. Storage Building
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Bills and Vouchers **
2. Review of WCA Resolutions*
3. Capital Outlay/Maintenance Items **
4.2006 Budget **
a. Personnel
5. Medical Examiner Interim, Casey Swetlik
6. Child Support, Administrator, Katy Kapaun
a. Temporary Legal Intern
7. District Attorney Eric Johnson, Victim Witness Ann Gustafson
a. Lizzy Staberg
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. Inmate Debts.
c. Jail Nurse/Hudson
d. Policies
e. Resolution regarding Tobacco Coalition
f. AODA
g. New Richmond Armory
h. Drug Court
i. Humane Society, Theresa Jonas (10:30am) regarding Pierce /St. Croix Shelter
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOURNMENT
SUBMITTED BY: Julie C. Speer, Chair
DATE: August 21, 2005 — Revised August 30, 2005
COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board
County Clerk Committee Members
Respective Department Heads
** These items will be heard by each Department
*Item may affect more than one department
[Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.]
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING
September 7, 2005
Official
MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Lori Bernard, Mark Erickson, Denise Gunderson and
Chuck Mehls.
STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen
Humphrey, Sheriff's Dept. Office Manager Mary Martell, District Attorney Eric Johnson,
District Attorney Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson,
Diversion Coordinator Liz Staberg, Interim Medical Examiner Casey Sweltik, Child Support
Administrator Katy Kapaun, County Clerk Cindy Campbell and Amy Geurkink.
Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meetin will be
October 6 th at 8:30 a.m. Budget review with the Finance Committee is September 28 at 1pm.
The meeting in November will be on the 10th. Motion by Bernard, 2nd by Gunderson to
approve the minutes of August 12 Carried unanimously. Motion by Bernard, 2 by Mehls to
approve the minutes of August 17 Carried unanimously.
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Casey Swetlik presented the Medical Examiner 2006
proposed budget. Total proposed revenue is $14,250, a $3,000 decrease in revenue from the
2005 budget. Discussion regarding salaries and on -call pay. Currently allowing for two
autopsies per month for 2006, Swetlik would be comfortable with a lower number. Medical
Examiner phone has been discontinued, phone system now offers 24 -hour service due to the
voice message option to be forwarded to Swetlik's cell phone. Swetlik would like to add organic
vapor respirators, at the cost of $25 each and he would like to order twelve for a $300 addition.
Two laptops have been ordered for the office of Medical Examiner. Swetlik does not see the
need or value of a laptop when trying to clear a scene. The Committee decided to cancel the
order, as they can always reorder at a later date if the need arises. Two four drawer fire proof
filing cabinets system will be added for new equipment. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Speer to
accept the budget as presented. Carried unanimously.
Structure of the office of the Medical Examiner will be reviewed. There was no opposition by
the committee to add deputy staff. Swetlik stated that the policy and procedure manual will be
reviewed, with the focus being on the dispensing/disposing of prescription medication. Swetlik
will contact other counties to find out what policies they have endorsed. Swetlik reported that an
intern, Jody Zarembinski, has started in the medical examiner's office. He will introduce her at
the next meeting.
CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: August bills in the amount of $2,762.10 were presented.
Motion by Gunderson, 2nd by Speer to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
Kapaun presented the proposed 2006 budget. She reported she received reimbursement from the
state for staff development. No change in revenue projections. Motion by Erickson, 2 by
Mehls to accept the budget as presented. Carried unanimously.
Kapaun stated she has had a request by staff to modify their schedule to a four day, ten- hour -per-
day work week. This request is primarily due to the price of gasoline. Kapaun indicated she will
try it on a temporary basis for one month. The day -off would be staggered so the office is staffed
each day. The longer days would also provide staff with a greater range of hours to contact
individuals and hopefully reach them. This needs to be presented to the Personnel Committee
and will start on a temporary basis. Child support specialists reviewed by Personnel Committee.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Ann Gustafson presented the Victim Witness proposed
2006 budget report. Reimbursement is at 60% from chapter 9 program. Discussion regarding
the final budget numbers. Gustafson will meet with the Finance Director and make the change.
LTE position increased the amount by approximately $19,000. Discussion regarding total
revenues and total expenses. Health insurance is one -half the amount for 2006 from 2005, due to
single rate coverage. Discussion on what happens when costs come in over budget. Speer
requested changes to the budget by September 28 Motion by Mehls, 2 " by Erickson to accept
the budget with the adjusted amount of $500 from VOCA. Carried unanimously.
Johnson presented the District Attorney proposed 2006 budget and expressed budget concerns.
He stated the lawyer issue is significant, as there is a need for more lawyers in the District
Attorney's office. He is asking for law clerk increase of $10,000. Proposing law students would
be on a vendor basis to do research, etc., this would result in freeing up lawyers. 11.5% increase
for 2006 (with the $10,000 increase to be set aside for special projects for lawyer fund).
Discussion regarding implementing a county traffic court, Johnson will look into the possibility.
Motion by Erickson, 2 " by Mehls to approve the budget as presented. Carried unanimously.
Johnson introduced Liz Staberg, Diversion Coordinator, who has been on board since March of
2005. Johnson stated that this position is funded by a state grant and is currently working on
getting the grant renewed. Staberg made a presentation regarding the program. Services include
early intervention, alternative sentencing, and restitution. The program focuses on attempting to
deter future criminal behavior resulting in reduced court costs.. In addition, the individuals will
avoid a permanent criminal record if the program is completed successfully. These offenders
pose no or little threat to the public. There are 43 currently in the program, over half are enrolled
in counseling. Offender behavior includes mainly misdemeanors: possession charges, underage
consumption, disorderly conduct, battery, damage to property, etc. The offender pays a fee,
court costs and may be required to perform community service. If the individual fails to
complete the program successfully, they will be sent back to meet with the judge. Staberg
indicated the need for about 200 -250 in the program in order for it to be self - funded. Johnson
commended Staberg on her excellent job thus far on this program.
SHERIFF'S REPORT: No bills presented for the month of August due to Mary Martell's
vacation. 2006 budget handouts were presented concerning the jail and the Sheriffs Dept.
Workers comp and liability insurance has increased. Jail budget is a 14.16% increase, however,
if the water system and drug counselor is removed, it is only an 8% increase. Discussion
regarding an agreement with Building Services on the water system. Capital outlay expense is
medical record keeping and fire equipment. Huber revenues are down. Hillstead stated it is a
realistic figure. Sheriffs Dept — Capital outlay $20,000 for records system, plus the $44,000 for
the squad room. All juvenile interrogations need to be videotaped, as the law was passed July
17 That cost will be at least $22,000 to purchase equipment and remodel the rooms. Building
Services will do the remodeling. Motion by Bernard, 2" by Gunderson to approve Sheriff Dept.
and jail proposed budgets for 2006.
Resolution regarding Tobacco Coalition — Ordinance Creating Chapter 86 Restrictions on Sale or
Gift of Cigarette and Tobacco Products to Minors - -- the changes include now citing the retailer
for selling to minors. Includes penalty for an individual that sells to minors. Similar guidelines
a
are in place for the sale of alcohol to minors. Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Bernard to approve
the resolution. Carried unanimously.
Jail Captain's Report No bills submitted for the month of August. Humphrey reported the Jail
Nurse has resigned. The Personnel Committee has given the okay to hire a new nurse and will
present the request to the County Board. Sheriff Dept staff is handling in the meantime. If an
inmate needs to be evaluated by a physician then they are transported to a clinic
Sheriff's Office Manager's Report No bills to report this month. Media to receive fatality
reduction report, a Public Service Announcement to commend first responders.
Patrol Captain's Report Shilts reported a pedestrian death in City of New Richmond. St. Croix
County Sheriff's Department wrote up the accident report. Shilts also reported on cell phone use
and accidents resulting from the use of cell phones. Discussion regarding hands -free cell phone
usage decreasing accidents. No conclusive evidence available at this time.
PIERCE /ST. CROIX ANIMAL SHELTER: Theresa Jonas of the Pierce /St. Croix Shelter,
along with the acting president of the shelter, made a presentation on behalf of the animal shelter.
Jonas reported the shelter is a 501(c) 3 organization, which means they rely on donations to fund
their organization. Unless they receive additional funding, it appears they will likely close on
December 31 2005. Cut backs include animal control. Mehls asked what the sources of
funding are now: $7,000 - $12,000 from Pierce County. Municipality pays for the stray animals
then the owners pay the fees. Highest cost is payroll, next is animal care, spaying, neutering,
etc., and other miscellaneous veterinary expenses. Bernard questioned what happens to the dog
license money that the county receives. Hillstead explained that the excess amount from dog
licenses is returned to the municipality. Discussion regarding municipalities donating funds to
the shelter. Hillstead indicated that the Pierce County shelter is helpful to his department and
closing the shelter will have a significant impact on St. Croix County. Jonas stated the memorial
gifts and other donations have allowed the shelter to stay open. As of now, they are three months
behind in payroll, $35,000 in the red. Bernard questioned the feasibility of having the university
provide college credits if students choose to work/volunteer at the shelter, thus resulting in lower
payroll costs. The animal shelter board did not appear interested in pursuing this possibility.
Discussion regarding sending letters to the municipalities indicating the need for funds. Sheriff
Hillstead stated that according to state statute, the County Board may take the excess dog license
fees and designate it to a pound. Ask Corporation Counsel to investigate how to get this done. It
was suggested that the media could be a source to raise money in the meantime until a more
permanent solution can be found. Discussion regarding having an article on the situation printed
in the local newspapers. Discussion regarding drafting a resolution to the municipalities
concerning the excess dog license funds being transferred to the humane society instead of back
to municipalities. Jonas thanked the committee members for their time.
Meeting adjourned at 12:12pm.
Lori Bernard, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary