HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-2013 Public Protection Minutes MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
July 12, 2013 8:00 AM
County Board Room - Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Dave Ostness Supervisor Present
Roger Larson Chair Present
Ron Kiesler Vice Chair Present
Andy Brinkman Secretary Present
Joe Hurtgen Supervisor Present
Others Present: County Administrator Patrick Thompson, Sheriff John Shilts, Emergency
Support Services Director Casey Swetlik, Chief Deputy Scott Knudson, Finance Director
Tabatha Hansen, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner and meeting organizer Janet Smith.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 10, 2013 8:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
2. May 24, 2013 8:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT*
No public comments were offered.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Reports
Discussion on reports.
2. Medical Examiner Report
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner presented the committee with information on the
Medical Examiners office. There has been a decline in the number of suicide calls but an
increase in drug overdoses. The Medical Examiner's office has processed five overdoses
in the last two months. The office continues to work with community partners to bring
awareness on subjects such as drug awareness and suicides. As of June 30, 2013 there
have been a total of 446 calls which include services for scenes, cremations, autopsies
and bones. Schachtner anticipates by the year 2016 the office will process
approximately a 1,000 calls per year. The work of the office will continue to increase.
Swetlik acknowledged the great job Patty and her staff do and thanked her for her
service. Discussion.
3. Residency Requirement for Law Enforcement
Sheriff John Shilts reported on the recently adopted bill changing the residency
requirements for government employees. This will have a large impact his staff. Past
policy has been deputies must reside in the county. Deputies have take home squads with
all equipment and are ready for emergencies and call-ins. The policy supported the large
reactionary force and has worked well for the department and citizens of St. Croix
County.
Shilts reported the new law states you cannot restrict Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters or
EMS personnel from living in less than a 15 mile radius from your jurisdiction. The new
law would mean deputies could live as far away as St. Paul, MN, Lindstrom, MN,
Downsville, Ellsworth and Ridgeland. This law has the potential to negatively impact
response time and increase the departments budget very significantly. Sheriff Shilts has
done research on this law and after discussions with legislators and other Sheriff
Department, believes this law was created to deal with problems in the Milwaukee area.
The Sheriff is looking for direction on possible policy change and support for getting this
law repealed for the County.
The committee is asking a resolution be brought forth at the next Public Protection
committee meeting for review.
A Kieser/Ostness motion was made to change the current squad car policy to reflect that
SCSO employees are only offered a squad car to take home if you live within the county
limits. Carried.
4. 9-1-1 Center/EOC Project Update
Thompson wanted to address any questions after the committee of the whole. Ostness
expressed concerns regarding where the backup EOC and Dispatch centers would reside
if the decision is made to go ahead with the sale of the Ag building in Baldwin.
Thompson stated the backup locations for EOC and Dispatch will be addressed. Options
regarding the backup locations for EOC and 9-1-1 are addressed in meetings between
Thompson and Swetlik. Discussion.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Swetlik informed the committee that FEMA teams will be in the county next week to conduct an
assessment for storm damage from the event dated June 21st through June 27th.
Kiesler requested clarification on quadrant based sirens. Swetlik stated the quadrant based
system was implemented in late May or early June. The sirens are activated based on information
received from the National Weather Service.
ADJOURN
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - AUGUST 9, 2013