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Home My WebLink About08-03-2018 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE August 3, 2018 7:50 AM County Board Room-Government Center County Board Room - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Chair Brinkman at 8:00 AM. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Andy Brinkman St. Croix County Chair Present Scott Nordstrand St. Croix County Supervisor Present Roger Larson St. Croix County Supervisor Present Lynda Miller St. Croix County Supervisor Late 8:26 AM Bob Feidler St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present Others in attendance: County Administrator Patrick Thompson, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Community Justice Collaborating Council Coordinator Michael O’Keefe, Emergency Support Services Director Stephen T’Kach, Emergency Communications Manager Terry Andersen, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Clerk of Court Kristi Severson, District Attorney Mike Nieskes, Judge Michael Waterman, members of the public and other staff members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 1st Meeting Minutes RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Andy Brinkman, Scott Nordstrand, Roger Larson, Bob Feidler ABSENT: Lynda Miller PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Brinkman invited Public Comments. Four members of the public requested to speak. Each one was given a time limit of three minutes to speak. Ms. Testaberg, Mr. Plunkett, Mr. Seume and Ms. Meyers spoke on the Cannabis Referendum. Also speaking on the cannabis referendum were Supervisor from District 6 Bob Long and Supervisor from District 7 Tammy Moothedan. Chair Brinkman thanked everyone for their comments. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Financial Reports Administrator Thompson reviewed the Financial report showing revenues and expenses through the end of June 30, 2018. The new financial program, ERP/LOOP, reports are presented in a new format but show the same information as previous reports. Administrator Thompson reported as of the running date of these reports there is nothing indicating concern for the reporting departments. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Opposition to Cannabis Referendum by Law Enforcement Sheriff Scott Knudson spoke on the Cannabis Referendum. Sheriff Knudson spoke about concerns regarding impacts on public safety and Law Enforcement with the possible legalization of cannabis. Sheriff Knudson would like to see information of public safety and law enforcement impacts out of the states that have already legalized marijuana. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Review of Administration Committee's Resolution Placing Referendum Question on Fall Ballot Regarding Legalization of Cannabis Judge Michael Waterman spoke on the cannabis referendum. Judge Waterman noted judges follow the rule of law in the state of Wisconsin and therefore would not be offering an opinion on the referendum. He spoke based on his three years of being a judge, with two years as presiding Drug Court Judge. Drug Court participants primarily have a Methamphetamine addiction. During the review process an assessment of the person is performed. Close to 100% of these people are users of THC the active ingredient in marijuana. Most sober people do not commit crimes. Some people can use drugs and alcohol and still not commit crimes those are not the people seen in court. Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner spoke on the cannabis referendum. Schachtner reported some St. Croix county residents doctor in Minnesota and are prescribed medical marijuana. Schachtner encourages the committee to address policies for St. Croix County staff and departments dealing with clients/residents who may have a legal prescription from Minnesota and have possession of the drug. District Attorney Michael Nieskes spoke on the cannabis referendum. Nieskes expressed disappointment with the presented resolution and the discussion in the Administration committee. Nieskes would like to see more discussion from both sides of the issue. He hasn't seen any discussion on the down sides of legalizing marijuana. Road deaths, illegal activity and gang activity still happening in the states that have legalized marijuana. CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe spoke on the cannabis referendum. The CJCC recommends the process is slowed down. Supervisor Nordstrand spoke on the process of the referendum, after reading the county board by-laws and the jurisdiction of the five standing committees he is concerned that the Administration committee brought this topic forward as a resolution. The topic should fall under the jurisdiction of Public Protection and Judiciary committee or the Health and Human Services Board. Supervisor Fiedler thanked the people speaking during public comments. Fiedler believes the language of the resolution is biased and agrees with Nordstrand's points. Fielder noted the lack of details in the resolution i.e. distribution. Fiedler/Nordstrand motion to adopt in essence the same language from the HHS Board motion and delay action on the referendum. Brinkman/Miller move to amend the motion to include the Law Enforcement letter and the CJCC recommendation. Amendment is approved. Motion is approved RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bob Feidler, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Scott Nordstrand, Supervisor AYES: Andy Brinkman, Scott Nordstrand, Roger Larson, Lynda Miller, Bob Feidler 4. LEPC membership Director Stephen T'Kach explains the LEPC purpose. Miller/Nordstrand motion to appoint Bob Fiedler as the Public Protection and Judiciary representative to the LEPC. Motion passed. RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lynda Miller, Supervisor SECONDER: Scott Nordstrand, Supervisor AYES: Andy Brinkman, Scott Nordstrand, Roger Larson, Lynda Miller, Bob Feidler 5. CIP Projects review Chairman Brinkman requests this item be placed on the September agenda. RESULT: NO ACTION Next: 9/7/2018 7:50 AM 6. 9-1-1 Infrastructure Phase II Emergency Support Services Director Stephen T'Kach reported the Request for Proposal on the Houlton tower will be published next week. T'Kach reported as part of the build process of each tower National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requires St. Croix County to obtain approval from indian tribes to build on the site. In total $50,000 has been paid from the project budget for approval of the Indian tribes. T'Kach has spoken to Senator Baldwin's office regarding the lack of regulations and fee scale for the indian tribe approvals. Supervisor Fiedler asks that T'Kach speak to Senator Johnson's office. None of the indian tribes are located within St. Croix County. RESULT: DISCUSSED 7. Medical Examiner's Office Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported the Top Secret program will host an event on October 17th. The ME office, Sheriff's Office along with the Baldwin High School in collaboration with the Hazelden foundation will be presenting information. St. Croix County suicide numbers along with the nations are experiencing an increase. The demographic has not changed, 42 to 50 year old college educated white male. Healthier Together group has been asked to present a QPR (question, presuade, refer) at the Minnesota VA hopsital on August 20th. There are currently 15,000 veterans in St. Croix County. Working with New Richmond American Legion and VFW to do suicide prevention. LODOX financials are being worked on, should have ready for September meeting. RESULT: DISCUSSED 8. Update from Community Justice Collaborating Council (CJCC) Community Justice Collaborating Council Coordinator Mike O'Keefe reported the group met on July 17, 2018 for a strategic planning session. The committee currently has 17 members there is discussion on adding one or two more members for a better cross view of our community. Work continues on addressing issues in the criminal justice system. Improvement has been made on collaborating and sharing resources. Focus will be in the subcommittees and setting goals for each working with mental health, domestic violence and abuse, family issues, and substance abuse. RESULT: DISCUSSED 9. Discussion on joint meeting with the HHS Board Tentatively on August 30, 2018 at 5:00 PM REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Chair Brinkman announced the K-9 Fundraiser, Sunday August 26th Canine golf scrambler at noon Pheasant Hills Golf Course. Sheriff announces the Stop substance abuse calendars. Letters have been sent out Grade's 4 - 7. Last year 1,200 submissions were received. The Sheriff invited members to judge the calendars. Miller, Brinkman, Fiedler and Nordstrand volunteer for judging. ADJOURN Adjourned at 9:17 am DATE OF NEXT MEETING - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018