HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2014 Public Protection Minutes MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
February 7, 2014 8:00 AM
County Board Room - Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Chair Roger Larson at 8:00 AM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Dave Ostness St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Roger Larson St. Croix County Chair Present
Ron Kiesler St. Croix County Vice Chair Present
Andy Brinkman St. Croix County Secretary Present
Joe Hurtgen St. Croix County Supervisor Excused
Others Present: Sheriff John Shilts; Chief Deputy Scott Knudson, Emergency Support Services
Director, Casey Swetlik, Medical Examiner, Patty Schachtner, County Board Chair Daryl
Standafer, Emergency Management Coordinator, Kristen Sailer, Emergency Preparedness
Specialist Natasha Cardinal, County Administrator Patrick Thompson and meeting organizer
Janet Smith. Risk Manager, Kristen Ziliak arrived at 8:30 AM
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. October 18, 2013 8:00 AM
Minutes were accepted as presented.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT*
There were no public comments.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Reports
Administrator Thompson reported on the Financial Reports. The 2013 numbers are
preliminary for the reporting departments. Revenues are slightly under budget due to
state and federal grants which operate on different fiscal years with reimbursement
expected in early to mid 2014. Expenses are being reported at approximately 3% under
budget. Discussion on expenses related to the Schaffhausen trial.
2. Medical Examiner Update
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported on year to date calls received by her office.
2014 year to date calls for service include 74 through dispatch, 85 hospice care, 32
cremations and 16 death certificates. In 2013 for every one alcohol related death there
were six drug related deaths. Home Health care and hospice care are areas of concern for
the office and Law Enforcement. Discussion on regulation and process of accounting for
medications/narcotics when hospice or home health care is involved.
Schachtner reported on other expenses the office is responsible for. The office is paying
$100.00 a day to Ramsey county for storage of a body involved in criminal charges, until
the autopsy results come back, due to lack of space in St. Croix County. All drug related
deaths are autopsied. Discussion on impact to the ME office of increased calls for
signing death certificates due to assisted living deaths and personal physicians not signing
death certificates if the patient was not under their direct care at time of death.
3. Community Justice Collaborating Council
Administrator Thompson reported on January 24, 2014 the Executive Committee
interviewed seven candidates for the CJCC Coordinator position. An offer was extended
to Travis Gaetz. Gaetz accepted the position and will start on February 24, 2014. The
TAD grant will fund 1/2 of this position for a four year period. The committee thanked
Jessica Zupfer for all the work she has done getting the CJCC committee up and running.
Next meeting of the CJCC is March 27th.
4. 9-1-1 Center/EOC Project Update
Emergency Management Coordinator, Kristen Sailer introduced Natasha Cardinal the
new Emergency Preparedness Specialist and explained job duties of the position.
Natasha gave a brief description of her education and her internship her at SCC. The
Committee welcomed Natasha to the county.
Emergency Support Services Director, Casey Swetlik reported on Phase II of the project.
Paint is being applied to the new walls of the old 911 center, which will be the ESS office
area. Flooring and Ceiling grid is scheduled for next week. Work is being done on the
installation of the clean agent fire suppression system. The project remains on schedule
for a completion date of February 19. PHASE III will begin immediately which is
scheduled for completion a little before April 1st.
Swetlik gave a brief description of the clean agent fire suppression system.
5. Pierce-St. Croix County Feasibility Study for PSAP Merger
Administrator Thompson gave background information on this study. The final report
from PSC consultants was received earlier this week. A draft resolution is prepared that
will be in the packet of information for the Committee of the Whole meeting next week.
This report was created through a series of meetings with work groups, stakeholders (
Law Enforcement, EMS and Fire departments), staff, county teams, and surveys. A huge
amount of time and data was received. Thompson gave a brief report on the study noting
the impacts of a possible merger. The success of a merger would depend on the
commitment of both counties, officials and the many groups involved. The report
identifies a pay back of 5 - 10 years with initial costs being a little over $1.5 million to
complete the merge. There would be an increase in staffing costs. The report addresses a
change in venue. St. Croix County made a strong case for our center being able to handle
our demands for the next 10 years and accommodate up to 8 dispatch stations. The report
indicates for the merger to be successful the PSAP should be located at a neutral site. If
both county boards agree to take the next step there would be work involved on getting
legislative approvals, governance models, planning for technology, implementation over
site, backup and long range planning. The report notes 18 - 24 months for all these items
to be fully integrated. Thompson noted a merger of two counties PSAPs has never been
done in Wisconsin. There are counties that have looked at the possibilities but it was
never carried through. The $1.58 million, noted in the study, does not include the 6
additional staff, but compares the costs of the additional staff as a cost saving, when the
two counties are separate centers compared to a merged center.
Thompson recommends the committee read through the report and Executive Summary.
The consultants will give their report next week at the Committee of the Whole.
Discussion on the shared costs. If costs are shared strictly on a call volume/call data the
costs would be shared 68% St. Croix County and 32% Pierce County. Discussion.
Supervisor Kiesler asked if Administration was looking for a recommendation from this
committee. Thompson noted this was brought in front of this committee as a discussion
item, the resolution will be included in the Committee of the Whole meeting packet.
Discussion on the process of presenting the resolution to the Committee of the Whole and
moving forward to the County Board. Risk Manager Kristen Ziliak stated Corporation
Counsel's analysis of who the resolution should come from was based on the fact the
entire County Board voted on the initial resolution to commission the study. Chair
Larson noted the initial resolution came out of the Public Protection Committee. Request
was made to view the draft resolution.
Chair moved forward to Announcements and Correspondence while the draft resolution
was being copied for distribution.
After announcements and correspondence. Risk Manager Ziliak distributed copies of the
draft resolution to the committee. Discussion on the Public Protection committee voting
on the resolution and sending forth to the County Board. Decision was made to have the
draft resolution removed from the Committee of the Whole agenda packet, the Public
Protection Committee will meet to take action on the resolution after COTW
presentation. A special meeting will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8:00 AM in
room 1281 to discuss and take action on the resolution.
6. Additional Meeting Documents
Draft resolution was distributed to Committee members.
7. Annual Jail Inspection
The Public Protection Committee moved to the jail and performed their inspection. Jail
Captain Dan Van Someren and Lieutenant Gary Simacek provided the committee with
information during the inspection. The Committee noted several small cracks in the
kitchen and receiving areas which should be addressed with facilities. Sheriff John Shilts
will talk with facilities. Supervisor Kiesler would like to have more information brought
forth to this committee on medical and special management cells. Discussion on the
Central Control upgrade project which will be part of the upcoming bonding. The
committee found the overall state of the jail to be in good condition.
Discussion on GED program and equipment needed to perform the on-line testing. The
Committee would like to thank the jail staff for a job well done and special thanks to
Captain Van Someren and Lt. Simacek for a very informative tour.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Director Casey Swetlik gave a brief summary on the Glenhaven Fire on 1/14/2014 in Glenwood
City. This fire occurred at the new construction for assisted living. Thirty Eight agencies
responded to the fire including Law Enforcement and EMS. American Red Cross fed over 140
lunches. Incident Command on site determined there was not a need for evacuation but resources
were on-site and prepared. Sheriff Shilts reported they were fortunate to have the ability to
shelter on site instead of evacuation although there were buses on site if the need was there. Fire
safety doors contained the threat and it was a good example of all the services working together.
Discussion on the recent railroad crossing incidents.
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner informed the committee statutorily the county is responsible
for unclaimed bodies, last month there were five. If residents are on some sort of county program
at time of death there is budgeted monies for burial. Funeral homes have absorbed costs when
families have ordered services but then refuse to pay. There is an indigent funeral fund but those
funds are usually expended by March. Discussion.
Chair Larson returned to the discussion on the Pierce/St. Croix County Feasibility study
ADJOURN
Chair Larson adjourned the meeting at 12:03 PM
DATE OF NEXT MEETING, MARCH 14, 2014
VIII. Minutes Author - Public Protection
Respectfully Submitted: Janet Smith