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Home My WebLink About06-28-2019 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE June 28, 2019 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 Lynda Miller St. Croix County Supervisor Present Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present Roger Larson St. Croix County Supervisor Present District 14 St. Croix County Absent Jim Endle St. Croix County Supervisor 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, Administrative Operations Manager Ken Witt, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz, Branch I Judge Scott Needham, Branch III Judge Scott Nordstrand, meeting organizer Janet Smith and other staff. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – May 31, 2019 7:50 AM RESULT: ACCEPTED BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Medical Examiner's Office Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported on 2018 autopsy totals compared to year to date 2019. 2018 totals - 12 autopsies; 2 suicides, 5 natural, 4 accidents and 1 undetermined. 2019 autopsies year-to-date is 25; 6 suicides, 15 natural and 1 accident, 3 are in process. A contributing factor in some of the natural deaths has been obesity in the 40 year old and under range. The heaviest so far has been 479 lbs. A mechanical cot was purchased for $9,000.00 to assist first responders and ME staff in transporting and lifting the bodies. The mechanical cot was received last Thursday and has been used four times. Suicide numbers have increased. Males in the 35 - 50 year old age group is highest population of suicides. New lab has been used on some of the toxicology tests, this is the same lab which Ramsey county uses. The results have been received in ten days instead of the 8 -12 week turn around. When Schachtner started as an ME investigator in 2003 the department received around $10,000 - $12,000 annually in revenue, now the department sends billings out every two months around $10,000 - $12,000 for services. ME Schachtner has asked for a full-time support staff to handle the increase in administrative requirements. Discussion on LODOX system. RESULT: DISCUSSED PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments 2. Financial Report - May 2019 Administrator Thompson directed committee to the Financial reports included in the agenda packet. Thompson reminded the committee revenues may look odd because of grant reimbursements not received as of the date of the report. All departments are within budget thresholds for this period. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Discussion on OWI/drug abuse initiative and criminal justice subcommittee Judge Nordstrand explained the Health and Human Services Board is charged by statute and regulation to set fees for alcohol and drug abuse assessments which are ordered by the courts. Some people convicted of an OWI or controlled substance are unable to pay the fees which leads them to break a probation requirement. Assessments are generally done by county staff at HHS. Due to some people not being able to afford the $272.00 drug assessment fee their probation has been rescinded. Nordstrand researched and found if a person is found to be indigent the county can waive or reduce the fee. Once HHS became aware of this rule they have now changed their policy to be able to reduce or eliminate the assessment fee. Nordstrand commends county for making the change. An OWI charge and assessment is handled differently. The cost for an OWI assessment fee is $380.00, by statute this fee cannot be waived. The cost can be split into four payments per statute. SCC has highest assessment fee in WI most are mid $200's. The assessment is required for getting a license back. Current wait time for assessment appointment is 2 to 2 1/2 months . Statute says assessment will be done within 14 days. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. CJCC Council and Subcommittee Updates Judge Needham informed the committee the next CJCC meeting is July 18th. Needham deferred to Coordinator Mike O'Keefe for report out on subcommittee reports. O'Keefe directed the members to the CJCC subcommittee report included in the agenda packet. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Consideration of CIP Plan 2020-2024 Assistant County Administrator Ken Witt reported to the committee on current CIP projects included in the agenda packet. Bolded items are previous projects, red indicates new items, yellow highlighted rows are under the jurisdiction of this committee. Courtroom projects are included. Emergency Communications command vehicle included. Last year of this CIP plan (2024) includes Geo diverse phone system and Emergency Communications build out of two CAD stations. Total of projects and plan to fund the 5 year plan is $3 million. Current fund balance appears as though these projects can be funded without bonding. Factors that may figure into CIP projects would be the Hammond site being sold or more money from the general fund being designated to go to CIP projects or projects costing less than planned amount will stay in the CIP fund. Witt noted the Medical Examiner LODOX equipment costs of $500,000 and corresponding $100,000 building changes required for that equipment. The CIP will be presented to the full County Board. RESULT: DISCUSSED-NO ACTION 6. Discussion of Public Safety Capital Improvement Projects Administrator Thompson reported no action is required by this committee. The Sheriff's jail expansion project for special need cells and the HAVC upgrade will go forward to the County Board for bonding. The mobile command vehicle has been removed from the bonding resolution but remains in the CIP. Sheriff Scott Knudson reported on concerns he has received from county board members. If in the future the jail expands would the proposed special needs jail construction still be viable. Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz spoke on the definitions of mental health crisis which is included in the agenda packet. Sheriff Knudson played video of incidents involving inmates in crisis and the interactions with other inmates and jail deputies. RESULT: DISCUSSED 7. 9-1-1 Infrastructure phase II final report Emergency Support Services Director Steve T'Kach directed members to the final report included in their agenda packet. RESULT: DISCUSSED 8. Discussion on potential drug abuse conference Chair Feidler is interested in organizing a conference involving multiple disciplines and professions to discuss substance abuse. RESULT: DISCUSSED 9. Update on State legislature on Public Protection & Judiciary initiatives Chair Feidler spoke on legislature regarding Public Protection & Judiciary items. Feidler sits on State Wisconsin counties Public Safety committee and will update committee as more information becomes available. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Sheriff Knudson thanked T'Kach for his public service and leadership. Chief Deputy Borgschatz received a grant from the state for $20,000 which will include crisis intervention training for Sheriff, Jail and local police departments. ADJOURN Adjourned at 9:16 am DATE OF NEXT MEETING - AUGUST 2, 2019