HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-02-2020 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
July 2, 2020 8:00 AM
Room 1284-County Board Room
St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 -
Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson,
Wisconsin
NOTICE
Notice: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Protection and Judiciary committee
meeting will be available to members and reporting departments on-line, utilizing the Zoom
platform.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Vice Chair Absent
Paul Berning St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present
Daniel Hansen St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Shelly Tomtschik St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Others present: Administrator Patrick Thompson, Assistant County Administrator Ken
Witt, Branch I Judge Scott Nordstrand, Child Support Administrator Lisa Plunkett,
Community Justice Collaborating Council Coordinator Mike O'Keefe, District Attorney
Mike Nieskes, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Sheriff Scott Knudson, meeting
organizer Janet Smith.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – June 4, 2020 8:00 AM
Motion by Supervisor Berning, seconded by Supervisor Tomtschik to accept the minutes.
Passed.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for May 2020
Administrator Patrick Thompson reviewed the current budget status through May 31,
2020. All departments are within the budget parameters.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Review of Capital Improvement Projects
Assistant Administrator Ken Witt reviewed the process of how the Capital Improvement
Project (CIP) list is created. The plan is a five year plan. The yellow highlighed areas in
the CIP report (in agenda packet) is related to the PPJ reporting department requests.
Discussion.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. CJCC Council and Subcommittee Updates
Judge Scott Nordstrand spoke on the current projects and process of responding to the
COVID-19 pandemic by the courts. From shutdown to opening up. Supreme Court had
ordered to limit face to face court during this time. A portion of the current CIP for
courts was updating the technology some of that has been completed at least partially
to meet social distancing and Supreme court order rules. St. Croix County was ordered
several weeks ago to submit a plan for reopening jury trials. Work groups were formed
and a plan was submitted to and approved by the Supreme Court. The courts are still
holding some remote courts but are holding in person trials which involve witnesses and
evidence. In court, everyone wears a mask only exception is a witness testifying. All jury
trials need to be resolved 14 days before the trial if not only available option is to plead
all charges or have case dismissed or face sanctions by the Court. Jury trials are not
determined by type. When the list of trials gets formulated civil trials are placed lower in
the list.
CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe spoke on the subcommittee reports (in agenda
packet). The next CJCC is scheduled for 7/9 at 8:00 AM. O'Keefe invited all members
to attend via Zoom.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Medical Examiner's Office Update
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reviewed handout (attached to these minutes).
Discussion on natural grieving process being interrupted due to COVID-19. Brief
discussion on LODOX automated autopsy. Medical examiners are responsible for
reviewing deaths happening within 24 hours of being admitted to a hospital. Patty will
send updated LODOX report to the committee members.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. Sheriff's Office - Day Report Center update
Sheriff Scott Knudson updated the committee on the Day Report Center (DRC) being
back in Hudson after being temporarily located at the Services Center due to the COVID-
19 pandemic. The Sheriff's Office is working on getting back to the success rates that
were shown prior to the COVID-19 transition.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
6. Sheriff's Office - Policy Information
Sheriff Scott Knudson spoke on the Use of Force policy (included in agenda packet) and
how his officers and department follow that policy. The department policies are on the
Lexipol policy management system, which is a product the office purchased several years
ago. Lexipol reviews all trends, policies, procedures, new legislation and laws. The
goal of Law Enforcement is always the preservation of life.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Chair Feidler is working with DA for a September program on Elder Abuse. Sheriff Scott
Knudson spoke on the flood rain at 3:00 AM on Monday, The Communications van was
called out and manned by Terry Andersen, Captain's Klatt and Standaert. The sheriff
recognized all the agencies involved in the response.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 9:53 AM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING AUGUST 6, 2020