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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 11-10-05 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: November 10, 2005 TIME: 8:30 A.M. LOCATION: Government Center, Hudson, WI ROLL CALL: ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: October 6, 2005 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: December 9, 2005 at 8:30am 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 ** 4. Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik a. UW of RF Intern b. Medical Examiner position 5. Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun 6. District Attorney Eric Johnson/Victim Witness Anna Gustafson a. SART /SANE 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 Amory, lead abatement e. AODA, Services and Treatment for inmates f. Humane Society Resolution ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ** These items will be heard by each Department * Additions or corrections to the agenda [Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.] SUBMITTED BY: Julie C. Speer DATE: October 20, 2005 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk Committee Members Respective Dept. Head MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION / N OVEMBER 00 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Lori Bernard, Mark Erickson, Denise Gunderson and Chuck Mehls. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson, Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Medical Examiner Intern Jodi Zarembinski; Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun, Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, Human Resources Director Deb Kathan and Amy Geurkink. I i OTHERS PRESENT: St. Croix County Board Members Don Jordan and Richard Marzolf, Town of Clerk Rita Horne. Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be December 9"' at 8:30 a.m. The meeting in January will be on the 13th at 8:30am. Motion by Bernard, 2 " by Erickson to approve the minutes of October 6` Carried unanimously. Medical Examiner's Report: Swetlik presented October Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $2,300.22. Motion by Bernard, 2 nd by Mehls to approve the bills for the month of October. Carried unanimously. Swetlik explained that the bills are issued after the final autopsy report, which is usually one month after the initial autopsy. Swetlik introduced Jodi Zarembinski, the Medical Examiner intern. Swetlik praised her contribution to the department, noting her strong work ethic and dedication. Swetlik presented budget estimate and year -to -date totals through October. Swetlik stated he has contacted the General Manager at Menards for supplies and will have Corporation Counsel approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Menards. Swetlik explained the agreement provides the county will have adequate supplies and reserves on hand in case of disaster. Discussion regarding concerns for proper equipment. Bernard followed -up with Swetlik concerning addressing the deputies on what was considered actual investigative time, etc. Swetlik explained that it was mainly a clarification, nothing discipline - related and it was well received. Speer reminded Swetlik of the annual report required in December. i `Medical Examiner Position: Speer commenced discussion concerning the Medical Examiner position land the issue of whether it should be a contract or employee position. Human Resources Director Deb Kathan explained that if it were a county employee then you would have the employee expectations. It would be best to lay it out in a contract. Discussion regarding whether a contract position person would carry their own liability. Whiting stated he prefers the contract; spell out all the requirements in the contract. Discussion regarding the Administration Committee and it's involvement in the review of the Medical Examiner position. Discussion that the Administration Committee was involved because the position !was vacated and the committee was to review the position. Discussion regarding the County Board Idecision(s) concerning the position; Whiting explained that the Medical Examiner is an appointed position and will remain such until the County Board amends it. Discussion regarding whether a contract would be best with some place like Ramsey or with an individual. Discussion whether a contract offers enough flexibility. Whiting stated he feels there is no need to change the committee to which the Medical Examiner reports. Brief discussion regarding issues raised by the former Medical Examiner. Mehls commented that he sees no reason other than in extreme cases, to have Emergency Communication Committee involvement with the Medical Examiner position. Kathan presented the current job description for the Medical Examiner. She stated the description could be compared with the proposed contract. She suggested key points from the job description be incorporated into a contract and have it reviewed by Corporation Counsel. Discussion on how contract and employee positions differ. lKathan explained that there are a dozen or so county departments that contract services. The benefit being that the contract is reviewed on a yearly basis and then renewed or not renewed, depending on performance. I Discussion regarding the Medical Examiner's position permanent location being at the government center. Swetlik feels this position needs a central office and that the position is too difficult to be operated out of someone's home. For liability reasons all materials associated with the position should reside at the County Government Center. Discussion regarding state statute requirements of the Medical Examiner's office location. Motion by Bernard, 2 "d by Erickson to pursue a contracted service for the Medical Examiner position. Carried (Speer voted against). (Discussion regarding having the position filled in a timely manner. If not satisfied with the contract then it could be revisited. Erickson stated a benefit of a contract position is that it limits the liability. Discussion regarding bond requirements to cover liability with the Interim Medical Examiner position. Discussion regarding the uniqueness of the position because of the on- call -as- needed basis. Discussion regarding tax issues and benefits, etc. Speer asked Swetlik for his thoughts on the position. Swetlik stated that the Public Protection's Committee's continued involvement with the Medical Examiner's position is important. Swetlik also expressed concerns that the deputies are trained according to procedures. In addition, he stressed the importance of a high degree of compassion from the Medical Examiner's office, stating that compassion is critical with the family whenever a death is involved. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented bills in the amount of $2,636.39. Motion by Bernard, 2 " by Gunderson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun presented the budget status report. The monthly budget may be over slightly due to a process service fee in the state of Texas. Brief discussion regarding process fees and the statutory requirements. Kapaun stated that the genetic testing may be a bit higher than originally thought but stated she would rather not postpone because they will come under budget anyway. Kapaun reported the training went very well in Lake Geneva. Discussion regarding proposed federal legislation cutting funding. Kapaun stated there would be a x$90,000 cut to St. Croix County by the year 2010 due to federal decreased funding. She stated that they have just posted the highest collection rate and it would be difficult to maintain. Discussion regarding the W -2 Program. Kapaun reported St. Croix County will have an assignment of new cases, with less funding and less money to the families who are receiving other forms of state assistance. Calls will come l in January. Kapaun reported on the Children First Program. It is a work program for non - paying persons, who must pay their child support or join the program. St. Croix County has never participated but the state has restored the funding. The W -2 agency applied for it on behalf of St. Croix County without any c onsultation with St. Croix County. Kapaun stated that she has no problem with assisting with the 1program but it would have been nice if they had been consulted. Kapaun is attempting to get this resolved. More updates next month. Kapaun reported the office continues to be busy and even more so because of hunting license suspensions. The Judges support the suspensions. The person has ten days to come in and pay or enter into an agreement to become current on their support payments. Other licenses (professional, drivers, etc.) can be involved as well. Kapaun summarized that collections continue to be steady. Speer reminded Kapaun of the annual report due in December. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: October bills in the amount of $20,683.02 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2 "d Erickson by to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Johnson stated that the Bryne Grant will now be entitled a Department of Justice Grant. Johnson was pleased to report it appears that the $55,000 grant will be renewed concerning the diversion program. Johnson reported that there were approximately twelve- hundred entries for the anti -drug poster contest. Johnson reported the subpoena costs are high. He also reported they are still in need of lawyer positions. The state budget is tight and they may have to look for other options. Prioritizing is difficult due to funding cuts. Government services are important and need to be funded. Discussion regarding taxpayers should question where money is being spent. Ann Gustafson presented the SART Program Video entitled "A Crime of Violence ". The video has local persons /students starring in it. Gustafson reported that they hope to educate people about sexual assault and violence through the arts and are currently promoting the video in the schools. The SART program is 5 years old. The committee thanked Gustafson for presenting the video and Gustafson expressed her appreciation of the committee's interest in the video. HUMANE SOCIETY: Don Jordan introduced Rita Horne, Clerk of the Town of Hudson. Horne reported that the Town of Hudson does not use the Pierce /St. Croix Humane Society, they use the Woodbury facility instead. Since they are using another facility, the Town of Hudson requests that their excess dog and cat fees be returned to their township. In addition, the Town of Hudson already has that money incorporated into their budgets. Marzolf stated he has taken an interest in the humane society issue because of the prior presentation by the Pierce /St. Croix Humane Society and because of his affiliation with Dr. Kretz. Marzolf is strongly in favor of keeping the organization a float. He also expressed his concern that the service is beneficial in having pets provided to our society and also reported on the benefits of pet ownership can have on society, particularly for the elderly. Marzolf questioned what happens to the funds once a person buys the dog license. Speer stated the County Clerk orders all the tags and paperwork, etc., and $1,000 is held for the following year. After all dog damage claims are paid the money is returned to the municipalities on a percentage basis. The municipalities are responsible for making certain the rabies vaccines, etc., are current. Hillstead stated that according to statute they (the municipalities) have to provide care for dogs they impound for at least seven days. Speer reported on a 1990 municipality survey and suggested the municipalities be surveyed again concerning their methods of handling the animals. Jordan stated the surplus funds should go to the municipalities and they in turn should have the option of donating it. Discussion regarding what happens when the Pierce /St. Croix Humane Society closes. Discussion regarding that as long as the Town of Hudson and other municipalities are taking care of their obligations in a proper /legal manner they ought not to be requested to donate funds to the humane society. Bernard stated the municipalities who have a contract with someone else should not be expected ,to return the funds. Discussion regarding the municipalities who do use the Pierce /St. Croix shelter. Hillstead reported that the Sheriff's Department has about five hundred calls a year for dogs and expressed concern that should the society close it could create a problem. Also receives calls regarding concerns with animals being treated inhumanely. Speer reported the 2005 funds cannot be touched because the funds are already in the budgets for the municipalities. Hillstead stated other sites ought to be investigated. Marzolf questioned the statutes and commenced discussion regarding a shelter .designated by the County Board. Speer reported that St. Croix County currently does not have a shelter designated by the County Board. Erickson and Mehls questioned the cost difference between the Woodbury shelter and the Pierce /St. Croix shelter. Horne stated the costs with the Woodbury shelter are minimal and the owner pays most of ( the cost. Speer questioned who is responsible for unlicensed dogs. An estimated 30 -40% of dogs are not being registered. Discussion regarding the Sheriff sending out a survey to the municipalities concerning what shelter they are using and if not using a shelter then what is being done with the animals and what do they want done if they do not use shelters. Motion by Bernard, 2 "d by Gunderson that a survey be sent out by the Sheriff to all municipalities regarding their methods of stray dog control. Carried unanimously. i SHERIFF'S REPORT: Sheriff's Department bills in the amount of $77,301.53 were presented. Motion by Erickson, 2 "d by Bernard to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Hillstead reported that burglaries continue, most notably in construction sites and storage sites. They have cleared twenty cases and are currently renting a storage area in north Hudson. Hillstead reported Maggie Oehlke has been hired for the Jail Nurse position. She will train with the Dunn County and Eau Claire County nurses for a period of time. Hillstead and Humphrey are confident that it will work out well. Hillstead stated they are almost up to staff in the jail except for one position because of that person serving in the military in Iraq, and that person is expected to return in January. Hillstead also reported some staff has been moved and promoted. They have two officers in court security and one court officer. There are currently two jailers on maternity leave and one patrol officer on maternity leave. Hillstead reported that the jail population is down somewhat; AODA may be a factor according to judges. Arrests are there, and there are pending cases so not sure why the jail population is down. Bernard questioned the negotiations regarding bed costs with the different counties; Hillstead stated most jails have more bed space than they need. Huber is where it should be in terms of numbers. Speer questioned INS prisoners; Humphrey said it can be tough due to a language barrier and some being deported. Hillstead reported that October was a fairly quiet month. Escape plans in the jail were thwarted. Humphrey presented October jail bills in the amount of $83,137.74. Motion by Gunderson, 2 "d by Mehls to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding budget cuts. Discussion regarding drug tests for inmates. Hillstead stated they may go over budget in the jail on overtime but under on the meals. The overall numbers will come in under budget. Discussion regarding the progress of the painting in the jail. Humphrey stated that she does not believe it is finished but will check into it. Shilts reported the Active Honor Guard is in place but they need more practice. Hillstead stated that the unifornis and equipment were paid from the confiscated asset fund. So far the Honor Guard members are donating their time. Hillstead reported that the Animal Care Center in Hudson is providing some reduced or free veterinary care for Deuce, the police dog. Hillstead reported that office manager Mary Martell is in LaCrosse for training on the Visions Soft ware. Hillstead reported the Drug Court is slowly moving forward; Judge I Vlack may start a pilot program (after training) within the first six months of 2006. Shilts wanted the committee to be aware of concerns he has with respect to requests for fun -runs, etc. throughout the year. Some routes are not well planned and organizers become upset when officers tell them they are not closing a particular highway, etc. Shilts reported that they may ask in 2006 that a resolution be passed that organizers must adhere to certain requirements in order to host an event. l Hillstead /Shilts reported that the county is maintaining the ten traffic fatality number for the year. Speer I 'reminded the annual report is due in December. Hillstead reported p rted that there is negative feedback from public citizens concerning credit card swipes. Mehls commenced discussion on fee collection and pursuing the debts. The card swipe option ought not to be discouraged, give the incentive to pay right away. Discussion concerning some fines are quite old and why hasn't there been aggressive intervention with the past due fines. Discussion regarding methods for encouraging people to pay their past due fines. Discussion regarding checking with Human Resources about juggling office hours so that calls could be made to individuals in their homes after work hours. Motion by Speer, 2" d by Gunderson to insert the past due fine issue on the December County Board meeting agenda. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 12:31 p.m. Lori Bernard, Secretary I I Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary