HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-2018 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
September 7, 2018 7:50 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
Scott Nordstrand St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Roger Larson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Lynda Miller St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present
Staff present: County Administrator Patrick Thompson, Emergency Support Services
Director Stephen T'Kach, Emergency Communications Manager Terry Andersen, Medical
Examiner Patty Schachtner, Operations Manager/Interim Finance Director Ken Witt ,
Sheriff Scott Knudson, Data Analyst Kevin Hamlin, District Attorney Mike Nieskes, Clerk
of Court Kristi Severson. Other staff were in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – August 3, 2018 7:50
AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for July 2018
Administrator Thompson reviewed the financial report included in the agenda packet.
Revenues and Expenditures are in acceptable range.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Discussion on joint meeting with the HHS Board
Chair Brinkman offered October 23rd and October 25th as possible meeting dates for a
joint meeting w/ HHS to discuss the drug epidemic in St. Croix County. The dates will be
brought to the HHS Board to determine which date works best. An evening meeting
starting at 5:00 p.m. is suggested.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. 9-1-1 Infrastructure Phase II
Emergency Support Services Director Steve T'Kach updated the committee on the Phase
II Infrastructure project. The project had an original budget of $8.2 million. Spent to
date is approximately $7.4 million. One tower (Houlton) has been added to the
project. The tower in Houlton is proceeding with the build permit received. Request
for proposals for the radio tower and shelter have been completed and submissions
received from vendors. Recommendations for awards are expected to be made next
week. If contract is awarded in the next two weeks the project would still take five to
six months to complete. The goal is to have the new tower online within the first or
second quarter of 2019. The Minnesota financial partner is in process of sending
funds and those funds will be in the bank before progressing.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Medical Examiner's Office
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported on the collaboration with WITC and Hudson
schools on a forensic program. Work continues on the "Top Secret Project" the
presentation will be on October 17th. Working with Veteran group in New Richmond
for the prevention of suicide and help with mental health. Department reports in
2008 under 200 deaths were reported to the ME office compared to 375 deaths
which have been reported so far this year. Autopsies and death certificates continue
to increase. If a person dies while staying at home or in a community based
residential site law enforcement is involved and the death is investigated. If the
death is a result of a fall it is also investigated. Deaths are investigated for the
purpose of doctors' signing the death certificates. After the first of the year a second
crematorium will open in St. Croix County. The Sheriff's Office is notified of all
requested cremations. By statute ME must investigate all cremations. If a St. Croix
County resident dies in Minnesota and the family wants cremation service in St. Croix
County the Medical Examiner's office does not charge a permit a fee. If death occurs
in WI and cremation happens in WI the ME charges $150.00 for the cremation
permit. It was decided by previous Public Protection committee to not charge the
family an additional $150.00 if they have already paid the $25 fee in Minnesota.
Schachtner reported there is an increase in disinterments (moving of loved ones
from cemeteries). There are two to three disinterments per year. The ME office must
issue a permit for the moving. ME charges $200.00 for the permit and is dispatched
out to the site.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. CIP Projects review
Operations Manager/Interim Finance Director Ken Witt presented Capital
Improvement Project (CIP) plan included in the agenda packet. Witt suggested the
committee focus on the 2019 project year. Discussion on the ESS Mobile Command
vehicle request. Members ask to have a report on how many times the command
vehicle is called out and the purpose of the callouts. Request by members to have
the vehicle here for October meeting. Update was given on the EOC backup center
line item. Thompson informed the line item will be absorbed in Highway building
fund. Admnistrator Thomposn will make a recommendation on the CIP projects for
the next two years projects.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
6. Review of 2019 Budget Request
Operations Manager/Interim Finance Director Ken Witt reviewed the 2019 Operating
Budgets of those departments reporting to this committee. Supervisors will meet on
October 11th in the Committee of the Whole (COTW) format to discuss The County
Administrators recommended budget. The final recommendation of the 2019
budget will be presented at the November 7, 2019 County Board meeting.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Steve T'Kach reported back to the committee on contact made with Senator Johnson's
office regarding last month's NEPA discussion. Discussed three issues
Chairman Brinkman invites people to the Suicide prevention and Awareness forum at WITC ,
next friday (9/14) night 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Supervisor Nordstrand requested a Cannabis referendum reviewed would like this current
SCC ordinance reviewed and updated. Describes prohibition of the plant. That applies to
the Hemp that is currently grown and sold in the county. Federal and State laws allow this.
Supervisor Fiedler questioned if the circuit court could produce a case load report with a full
reflection of their work? Administrator Thompson suggested that information was
contained in the annual report.
ADJOURN
Meeting is adjourned by Chair Brinkman at 09:32 a.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 5, 2018