HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 10-06-05 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: October 6, 2005
TIME: 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: Government Center, Hudson, WI.
ROLL CALL:
ACTION ON PRECIOUS MINUTES: September 7, 2005
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2005
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Web Browser
2. Debt Service /Traffic Tickets
3. Storage Building
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Bills and Vouchers **
2. Capital Outlay/Maintenance Items **
3. 2006 Budget **
a. Personnel
4. Medical Examiner Interim - Casey Swetlik
5. Child Support Administrator - Katy Kapaun
6. District Attorney Eric Johnson/Victim Witness Ann Gustafson
a. Personnel
7. 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. Jail Nurse/Hudson
c. Drug Court/Meth Committee
d. New Richmond Armory, lead abatement
e. AODA, Services and Treatment for inmates
f. Theresa Jonas, Humane Society Shelter, 9:15, A.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS &
CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
ADJOURNMENT
** These items will be heard by each Department
{Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.]
SUBMITTED BY: Julie C. Speer
DATE: September 29, 2005
COPIES TO: County Board Office News
Media/Notice Board County Board Clerk
Committee Members Respective Dept. Heads.
Personnel Director, Deb Kathan
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PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING
October 6, 2005
Unofficial
MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Lori Bernard, Mark Erickson, Denise Gunderson and
Chuck Mehls. Absent: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Jail Captain
Karen Humphrey, Sheriff's Department Office Manager Mary Martell, District Attorney Office
Manager Cathy Halverson, Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support
Administrator Katy Kapaun, Human Resources Director Deb Kathan, Administrative
Coordinator Chuck Whiting, County Clerk Cindy Campbell and Amy Geurkink.
Others Present: Members of the Pierce -St. Croix Humane Society (Teresa Jonas, Karr Snow, Dr.
Michael Kretz, Gary Porter, Dawn Fleming, Alison Semotink and Maren Gebhard) and members
of the St. Croix County Finance Committee (Clarence Malick, Esther Wentz, Daryl Standafer
and Ralph Swenson).
Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Motion to adopt the agenda by
Bernard, 2 nd by Erickson. Next regular meeting will be November 10 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting
in December will be on the 9 th at 8:30am. Motion by Erickson, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the
minutes of September 7 Carried unanimously.
PIERCE -ST. CROIX HUMANE SOCIETY PRESENTATION: Teresa Jonas, Director of
the Pierce -St. Croix Humane Society provided a handout along with a power point presentation
entitled "The First Facility They Call ". The St. Croix County Finance Committee was asked to
view the presentation. Dr. Kretz presented information regarding funding by other counties. He
stated the issue of stray dogs and cats is a significant health issue. Discussion regarding
contributions and which municipalities are using the shelter.
The St. Croix County Finance Committee left the meeting at 9:17 a.m.
Discussion regarding whether there is enforcement of dog licenses and what happens when
someone does not license their animal(s). Discussion regarding cost of euthanizing the animals.
Dr. Kretz stated the Town of Troy has a contract with the Humane Society due to the cat
problem.
Discussion regarding the excess dog license funds be given to the Humane Society. Discussion
regarding levy from the county (feasibility was questioned), also discussion regarding charging
the individual municipalities.
Motion by Gunderson, 2 nd by Mehls that a resolution be drafted regarding monies paid to the
municipalities for dog and cat licenses (less expenses) be given to the Pierce -St. Croix County
Humane Society. Carried unanimously.
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Human Resources Director, Deb Kathan arrived at
9:40a.m. to be present for the Medical Examiner's report. Casey Swetlik, interim Medical
Examiner, presented a copy of an article published in the River Falls Journal concerning the
medical examiner intern.
Swetlik presented information regarding clarification of pay for deputies for what is considered
actual investigation time.. Swetlik sought to confirm that travel time and report writing ought not
to be included in the investigation reimbursement. Discussion regarding the two -hour time
frame to investigate, Swetlik felt that two hours is sufficient time for a routine call investigation.
Swetlik proposed the deputies check in with dispatch at the time they receive a call and when
they clear the scene. Swetlik stated he does not feel that waiting for the removal of the body
should be included as investigative time. Discussion regarding clearing a scene, discussion
regarding clarification for court cases. Swetlik stated his stance is that if an officer is present, a
deputy need not remain to clear the scene.
Swetlik presented a seven -page draft training policy manual he developed. He stated that no
training policy is in effect at this time. Also, there is currently no vehicle in place to reimburse
the trainee. Swetlik would like to establish the training reimbursement at half of the current
deputy examiner's rate. Discussion regarding using part of the training budget for this new
expense. Kathan reported that if salary dollar savings are to be designated for training, then no
line item change is required and a motion is not required. Discussion regarding training manual
approval needed by Corporation Counsel. Swetlik will report the wage clarification to deputies.
Swetlik reported on previous and new filing system for Medical Examiner's office. The new
filing system is according to case number and broken down to concise information.
Swetlik solicited opinions from the State of Wisconsin Health and Human Services concerning
prescription drugs and clearing a scene. Swetlik reported that it is Corporation Counsel's
opinion that no prescription medications are to be removed from the scene by deputies. Brief
discussion commenced by Jail Captain Humphrey regarding Nick's Law concerning prescription
drug medication. Swetlik was aware of this law and it's ramifications.
Swetlik reported there is a need for a policy manual in the department but producing one will
consume the person doing it. Swetlik questioned proceeding in the interim. Speer reported it is
on the agenda for next month. In the meantime, Swetlik was encouraged to begin addressing the
development of policies for issues with the greatest number of inquiries from Deputies. Swetlik
is comfortable going with a `case -by -case' basis for now but stated that a comprehensive set of
policies ought to be in place.
Swetlik presented Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $9,148.78. Motion by Bernard, 2nd
by Mehls to approve the bills for the month of September. Carried unanimously.
Annual report is required by December 13, 2005.
Deb Kathan reported there is nothing pending in response to letters concerning the Medical
Examiner resignation. If County Board members have questions they should contact her.
CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Child Support Director Katy Kaupan reported they had a very
good fall conference. Employees Betsy Wesser and Chad Wolske attended the conference with
Kaupan. Kaupan reported WCA fundings are safe for 2006 and reported on the status of file
destruction..
Discussion regarding delinquent child support payments. Kaupan explained if a person is so
many months delinquent a lien docket will show up. Initially the work involved is not a great
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deal but there is much time /work involved when they want to clean it up. Discussion regarding
public assistance and child support.
Kaupan stated three employees are asking for a 4- day -a -week 10- hour -a -day work week.
Kaupan stated she presented it to the Human Resources Department but it was not approved.
Kaupan is asking the Public Protection Committee for latitude on this issue. Discussion that it
needs to be shown it is beneficial to the county. Kaupan stated this schedule has been applied in
other county departments without approval from the Human Resources Department. Kaupan
will put a formal request to Human Resources and ask that the issue be discussed and perhaps
presented to the Personnel Committee.
Kaupan presented bills in the amount of $2,060.12. Motion by Bernard, 2na by Mehls to approve
the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Halverson presented September bills in the amount of
$2,075.22. Motion by Bernard, 2nd by Erickson to approve the bills. Carried unanimously.
Halverson stated they are on track with the budget. Halverson asked that the committee consider
a late mileage submittal by Kathryn Grosdidier in the amount of $24.30. Motion by Mehls, 2na
by Bernard to approve reimbursement for the mileage submittal. Carried unanimously.
SHERIFF'S REPORT: Martell presented Sheriff's Department bills in the amount of
$10,554.60. Motion by Erickson, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills. Carried unanimously.
Humphrey reported on the painting in the jail. The Building Services department is working on
it, but Humphrey stated it is taking too long. Hillstead stated one person is doing it and it is
disruptive. Discussion regarding the dangers of fumes, dust, as well as cord dangers particularly
during times of high volume movement within the jail, i.e. mealtime. Discussion regarding the
recent jail inspection and non- compliance issues that were cited in the final report. The
Committee agreed that a copy of the minutes of this meeting be submitted to Building Services.
Jail Captain's Report: Humphrey presented September bills in the amount of $27,197.02.
Motion by Mehls, 2n by Bernard to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
Discussion regarding budget cuts. Hillstead stated they need the Jail Nurse. Klanderman
expressed his concerns that cutting the Jail Nurse position could result in a potential lawsuit.
Hillstead stated there were no concerts this year so Hillstead proposes digital cameras and
recorders be purchased with the monies. Hillstead will continue working on getting the budget
numbers down. Discussion regarding having the Procurement Department investigate supply
cost savings. Discussion regarding providing for inmate medication, etc., and when the inmate is
released and any amount owing. Hillstead stated the jail is a drain on the county's revenue.
Discussion regarding high costs due to proximity to the Twin Cities. Hillstead reported that
many violent crimes are committed by those living outside of St. Croix County and we are left to
cover the associated costs.
Hillstead reported there have been a number of area lumber thefts, construction sites have been
getting hit, OSB boards are being stolen. Storage building burglaries, twenty have been cleared,
property recovered, assault cases are ongoing. Hillstead summarized that things are busy but
going well. Hillstead reported he will take $930 out of the asset/forfeiture fund and will
purchase a `Dragger' for drug investigation.
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Discussion regarding the number of animal complaints. The Humane Society holds the animals
and if the Humane Society would lock its doors it would be a huge problem for St. Croix County.
The county would have to set up its own facility or contract out. Discussion regarding
requirement to collect dog license fees.
Hillstead and Klanderman reported there have been seven traffic fatalities thus far, which is a
lower figure than normal.
Meeting adjourned at 12:24pm.
Lori Bernard, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary