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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection Committee 12-09-05 l ' 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: December 9, 2005 TIME: 8:30 A.M. LOCATION: Government Center, Hudson, WI ROLL CALL: ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: November 10, 2005 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: January 13, 2006 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Web Browser 2. Debt Service /Traffic Tickets NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bills and Vouchers* 2. Capital Outlay/Maintenance Items* 3. Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik a. Contract 4. Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun 5. District Attorney Eric Johnson/Victim/Witness Ann Gustafson 6. Sheriff Hillstead, Chief Deputy Bob Klanderman, Patrol Captain John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Office Manager Mary Martell a. Expenditures: Drug Fund /Confiscated Acc't/Jail Assessment b. Drug Court /Meth Committee c. Humane Society ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE * These items will be heard by each Department [Agenda not necessarily presented in this order.] SUBMITTED BY: Julie C. Speer DATE: November 15, 2005 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media /Notice Board County Board Clerk Committee Members Respective Department Heads PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING December 9, 2005 Official MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Lori Bernard, Mark Erickson, Denise Gunderson and Chuck Mehls. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Patrol Captain John Shilts, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Interim Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: None Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be January 13, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting in February will be on the 10 at 8:30am; the March meeting will be on Tuesday the 7th Motion by Bernard, 2" a by Erickson to approve the minutes of November 10 as corrected. Carried unanimously. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented November Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $2,030.61. He reported there is one outstanding autopsy report and he also provided clarification concerning cremation allocation. Motion by Erickson, 2" d by Bernard to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Swetlik reported that the budget is overall healthy and the final numbers will come in below budget. Swetlik provided a prelude to the annual report to be provided at the December 13 County Board meeting. The numbers indicate they are in line from last year. He also provided an allocation of the states coroner /medical examiner positions. Discussion regarding a St. Croix County deputy medical examiner and her possible appearance on the Wife Swap television show. Discussion that this issue should have come before Swetlik or the committee long before this and if the previous Medical Examiner was notified she should have brought the issue to the committee at that time. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived in the meeting at 8:56am. Overall committee response is they find the prospect offensive and feel her appearance in such a show is a poor reflection on St. Croix County as well as the position because of the serious nature of work involved with that of a deputy medical examiner. The Committee feels this is unacceptable behavior by a professional affiliated with St. Croix County. Discussion whether the County's name will be mentioned during the course of the show. Timmerman questioned whether this particular deputy medical examiner holds an employee position or is an independent contractor. Discussion regarding implementing the stipulation that the deputy may not reference her position with St. Croix County. Timmerman stated the Public Protection Committee does have the authority to request that she not use the County name nor mention her position affiliation with St. Croix County. Discussion regarding concerns the television producers will agree to certain stipulations but still air whatever they please and St. Croix County would be on the hook, the damage done. Timmerman suggested perhaps a solution would be to have the County screen the production prior to it being aired however; he stated it is doubtful the producers would agree to such a stipulation. Discussion regarding terminating her position if she proceeds. Timmerman expressed concern regarding the County being in a position to terminate the deputy and having to pay benefits and unemployment compensation. Erickson suggested the committee make her appearance on the show an offense and if St. Croix County should ever be mentioned in the picture, her position would be terminated. Swetlik stated the deputy has signed a contract with the television show. Swetlik also reported the television producers have faxed a release of liability to O'Connell Funeral Home but Mike O'Connell has not yet signed. Motion by Bernard, 2 nd by Erickson that a letter be drafted by and between Swetlik and Corporation Counsel indicating to the deputy that because of the serious nature of her position as Deputy Medical Examiner that St. Croix County and the Medical Examiner position will not be implicated in any way in the television program. If she chooses to proceed and St. Croix County and/or the position is implicated she will face disciplinary action and/or potential termination of employment. MEDICAL EXAMINER POSITION: Discussion regarding the Agreement for Medical Examiner Services. Timmerman reported the statutes affirm the Medical Examiner is to be an expert in pathology. Timmerman commenced discussion regarding the concern of not having an expert in pathology as Medical Examiner and the potential for autopsy testimony being challenged in court. Timmerman suggested naming a medical doctor as the official County Medical Examiner but have the Deputy Medical Examiner actually govern the office. Discussion regarding budget concerns and committee control over the office. Discussion regarding naming Dr. McGee as Medical Examiner. Timmerman reported the assumption is Dr. McGee has no interest in changing the office and would not charge St. Croix County for the title. Timmerman indicated for liability reasons, St. Croix County would want to confirm that its Medical Examiner is an expert in pathology. Swetlik stated it is the decision of the deputy Medical Examiner whether or not an autopsy ought to be performed. Discussion regarding potential conflict if the deputy decides not to perform an autopsy and Dr. McGee feels one should have been performed. Discussion regarding setting precedence and the potential consequences for future Medical Examiner positions. Motion by Erickson, 2 nd by Mehls to have the Administration Coordinator and Corporation Counsel contact Dr. McGee concerning the proposed agreement for the title of Medical Examiner and report back to the committee. Motion carried (Bernard voted against). CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented bills in the amount of $1,420.91 and stated there is nothing out of the ordinary. Motion by Bernard, 2 nd by Erickson to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun presented the budget report and stated the final budget figures are positive. Kapaun reported on collections for license suspensions; over the past year there were two- hundred eleven recreational license suspensions, which netted over $32,000 in collections. Most have entered into alternative payment plans. Kapaun reported local agencies will receive less money in 2006. She also reported it is not looking good for future child support at the federal level. This will have a serious impact on St. Croix County with approximately 25% less resources. Kapaun commenced discussion concerning budget surplus results from the Finance Committee. The door remains open and Kapaun will pursue. Anticipation of budget cuts would be her reason for pursuing. The Committee suggested she submit in writing her concerns of future funding cuts and an inquiry of whether funds would be available for her department. In addition, she should make the Finance Committee aware of the fact the child support office continually comes in over budgeted revenue and request that be kept in mind when budget cuts occur. Discussion regarding the county cushion and the reserve balance. Kapaun reported child support specialist Chad Wolske has been on staff for almost six months. Kapaun reported that he is doing a fabulous job and she read to the committee, a letter from a client praising Wolske. Kapaun commenced discussion regarding the Springsted study and reported her staff wants to know where they stand when making their delegations for flex -plans, etc. The results of the study will be presented at the Department Head meeting on December 16 Kapaun would appreciate a report prior to the meeting. Kapaun presented the annual report in draft form and stated the emphasis is on reduction of funding. Kapaun credits her staff because they are doing more with less and doing it better. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REPORT: November bills in the amount of $3,999.38 were presented. Johnson indicated stop drugs reimbursement is forthcoming. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Johnson reported a check in the amount of $10,049.00 was received concerning the VOCA grant, representing 80% reimbursement for that particular time period. Johnson stated that the Somerset football coach spoke at the stop drugs presentation held at the Hudson high school and his lecture was very good and well- received. Discussion regarding fee collecting limitations; brief discussion regarding rental car issues. SHERIFF'S REPORT: November Sheriff's Department bills in the amount of $29,282.61 were presented. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding calls received concerning a boat still on the river. The DNR has been contacted, but the boat is iced in and there is nothing that can be done at this point. Hillstead presented the draft of the annual report and stated his department will come in under budget. He reported there is approximately $50,0000 left in the overtime budget (because of no concerts) and is seeking committee approval to use $18,000 from that budget to purchase forty digital tape recorders and three transcription recorders necessary because of court ruling for juvenile investigations. Shilts reported he had Dana Baker put out a request for bids for the recorders and the lowest bidder will get the bid. Motion by Gunderson, 2„d by Mehls to approve $18,000 from the overtime budget for purchase of the digital recorders. Carried unanimously. Erickson commenced discussion regarding the Finance Committee's review of unused budget portions. Hillstead reported the Sheriff's Department received a $4,000 bill from the Humane Society relating to a case, stemming from dogs being held as evidence. Hillstead reported he has five letters back from municipalities and only one indicated use of the humane society. He expects more letters back. Speer reported on which municipalities use a shelter. Hillstead will contact the area veterinary clinics to see if they take stray dogs. Consensus is that most veterinary clinics feel it is expensive and they worry about disease brought in. Hillstead reported that when the bay station was replaced in the jail the frequencies /licensing inadvertently got changed from dispatch to the sheriff's department. The company is working to get it back to dispatch. Hillstead expressed his concern that it was changed so easily. PATROL CAPTAIN'S REPORT: Shilts requested the special event permit issue be placed on the January agenda. He stated this is not ready for a resolution; he will only be making an informational presentation at that time. Shilts reported the County had its 11 fatality north of Baldwin, an 18 year -old woman. JAIL REPORT: November bills in the amount of $29,811.41 were presented. Motion by Erickson, 2nd by Bernard to approve the bills. Carried unanimously. Hillstead is pursuing a contract for the water control system which would be half the amount of the original estimate. Hillstead reported the Jail Nurse started three weeks ago and things appear to be going well. Hillstead presented jail door painting progress by maintenance; the report compiled by Humphrey. Hillstead stated cases are up but that jail numbers and Huber numbers continue to stay low. Judges do not appear to be sentencing to Huber as frequently as was planned prior to building the Huber addition. Other programs are being utilized; the future will entail placing people in jail to make use of the AODA program at which time the jail may see a significant increase. Erickson asked Hillstead whether they celebrate Christmas in the jail. Hillstead reported they have celebrated the last four years. All inmates are welcome to attend the party which is held in the gym. Area churches come in and make donations. This year, a person who speaks on methamphetamine will donate his time and will make a presentation to the inmates. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Hillstead reported that some of the larger cities are introducing legislation to take Sheriff Department costs off their levy. He does not think it will go anywhere but time will tell. He reported the County Sheriff's Department assists individual communities with drug investigations, emergency response, etc. and this type of assistance to the communities would be costly for them to replace. Gunderson suggested this issue be inserted in the annual report so that people are aware of it. Hillstead reported here in St. Croix County, the municipalities and sheriffs department work very well with one another. However, it may be different in larger cities where the city makes up a large portion of the county. PAST DUE FINE ISSUE: Mehls presented a rough -draft resolution concerning the delinquent fine issue. Motion by Mehls, 2nd by Gunderson to present a resolution to the County Board at the December 13 meeting as an update to the delinquent fine issue. Carried unanimously. The resolution would request formulation of a collection procedure and ask that a working committee be activated. Bernard left the meeting at 11:40am. Discussion regarding the past due fine collection being a Finance Committee issue not a Public Protection Committee issue. Discussion regarding concerns the issue could be dropped. Discussion regarding the options for collection and the costs involved with collection. Mehls efforts were praised by the committee. Mehls thanked the committee members for their support on this issue. Meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m. Lori Bernard, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary