HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2017 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
September 8, 2017 8:00 AM
County Board Room-Government Center
County Board Room - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Andy Brinkman St. Croix County Chair Present
Christopher Babbitt St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Roger Larson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Scott Nelson St. Croix County Vice Chair Present
Judy Achterhof St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Staff Present: County Administrator Patrick Thompson, Emergency Support Services
Director Stephen T'Kach, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner,
Child Support Director Chad Wolske, Administrative Operations Manager Ken Witt,
District Attorney Mike Nieske, Clerk of Court Kristi Severson, Chief/Deputy Cathy
Borgschatz, Emergency Communications Manager Terry Andersen, Emergency
Management Manager Natasha Cardinal, meeting organizer Janet Smith and other staff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – August 11, 2017 8:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report
Administrator Thompson summarized the financial reports through July 2017. Revenue;
54% remaining to be collected Expenditures; 47% remaining to be expended.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. 9-1-1 Infrastructure Phase II
Emergency Support Services Director Stephen T'Kach reported on the current status of
the Phase II project. Expended to date is below $6 million. T'Kach foresees remaining
under budget. Emergency Communications Manager Terry Andersen thanked all the
public safety agencies for their patience yesterday (September 7, 2017) during the
transition to the new system. Paging for fire and EMS is still on the legacy system
waiting for waiver from the FCC and then switch to simulcast system. Went from paging
off of 2 towers to simulcasting from 12 towers. There are 12 towers sending out
communications and a total of 14 towers for receiving communications. The foot print of
coverage has increased tremendously. The Fire channel (Fire/EMS) was activated and
from the dispatch center at the Government Center to the Glenwood City Fire
Department a conversation was held on a portable radio. Director T'Kach noted
mobile/portable reception is so much better. On April 16, 2018 we convert to a digital
channel. The time lapse is for giving agencies time to update their equipment.
Director T'Kach announced a 25 year land lease, at no cost, with the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation has been signed with Administrator Thompson's help. The
land is in Houlton next to the park and ride and snow dumping ground. It is agreed upon
to provide space for WIDOT's microwave relay station. The tower could be built up to
330' ft, but would like to stay at 300' ft being close to the river. With multiple
government agencies on the tower all 330' ft may be needed to accommodate the
equipment. There aren't funds designated for building a tower in Houlton. If there are
funds remaining in the Phase II project those could be used for this tower. Without a
financial partner the County Board would probably be asked for funding on the project.
An estimate would be $100,000 or less. Currently, working with Minnesota financial
partner on an "agreement to agree" in order for them to designate funds. Before a
construction process there would be an environmental assessment which could take up to
6 months, There would be nothing done in calendar year 2017. T'Kach continues to work
with possible financial partners. Discussion.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Medical Examiner's Office
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported to the committee the department has moved
to their new offices in New Richmond. The new cooler was delivered this week, hover
cot and hover mat and exam room are being worked on. Department is working on
updating policies on drug testing. The State of Wisconsin offers more complex and in
depth lab reporting than the department receives from Ramsey county through autopsy.
There are certain tests the state of Wisconsin has access to that are not done through the
normal autopsy testing. Deaths in 2017 have reached 409 as of September 7th.
Expectations are that by the end of October we will meet or surpass 2016 total of 498.
Schachtner invited committee to come into the new area. Once the facility starts
accepting bodies it will no longer be open to public.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Duty related injury report - Sheriff Office
Sheriff Knudson reported Cathy Borgschatz has been named Chief Deputy. Special
Services Lieutenant (Cathy's prior position) interviews were held yesterday. The
Department has been holding fund raising events for the K9 program. The amount raised
was approximately $12,000 for the K9 program. K9 Dex will probably retire late this
year or early next year. Stop Drugs Calendar contest will begin in December. The
Department is beginning its rollout of using Narcan which will help reverse the effect of
Opioid over doses as well as protect the officers with exposure to fentanyl or carfentanyl
along with other hazardous materials. Supervisor Babbit commented he has worked with
Chief Deputy Borgschatz for several years and gives his congratulations and approval.
Chair Brinkman commented on the community involvement in making the K9 golf event
so successful.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. 2018 Budget Review
Administrative Operations Manager Ken Witt presented the 2018 operational budget.
Witt reviewed the budgets of Child Support, Circuit Court, Adult Treatment court, CJCC
TAD, Clerk of Court, District Attorney, Emergency Support Services,
Sheriff and Corrections. Discussion. Chair Brinkman invited all department heads to
meet with him if desired.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Director T'Kach announced the RAVE Mass Notification system was activated during a recent
man hunt. One of the people receiving the notification was the caller who notified Law
Enforcement of the person's location.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 13, 2017
October 13, 2017.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 AM
1. Minutes Author - Public Protection
Respectfully Submitted: Janet Smith