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Home My WebLink About04-01-2021 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE April 1, 2021 8:00 AM Room 1284-County Board Room St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 - Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin NOTICE Due to Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Committee members and staff are encouraged to attend the meeting via the use of technology utilizing the Zoom platform. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Daniel Hansen St. Croix County Supervisor Present Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Vice Chair Remote Paul Berning St. Croix County Supervisor Present Shelly Tomtschik St. Croix County Supervisor Remote Others Present: CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe, County Administrator Ken Witt, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Judge Scott Needham. Meeting organizer Janet Smith. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – March 4, 2021 8:00 AM Motion by Supervisor Dan Hansen to accept the March 4th minutes. Seconded by Supervisor Paul Berning. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Financial Report for February 2021 County Administrator Ken Witt reported on the February 2021 financial reports for the reporting departments. Included in the agenda packet are 2020 year end budget totals. Administrator Witt reported the numbers are still "pre audit" but departments came in under budget. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Recognition of National Telecommunicators Week Sheriff Scott Knudson spoke in recognition of the work the telecommunicators perform on a daily basis. He thanked the telecommunicators for their work in protecting all first responders, citizens, businesses and visitors. Chair Bob Feidler read the Proclamation in honor of National Telecommunicator Week (attached within this agenda packet). The Public Protection and Judiciary committee members support this proclamation. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Circuit Court update Judge Needham commented on the great level of professionalism displayed by the Telecommunicators. The month of March had 6 jury trials. All jury trials are held in one courtroom which requires a lot of communication and scheduling by judges, clerks and all staff. The Courts are starting to notice mask fatigue. Noticing more people arriving for court without masks. Wearing of the mask is required within the courts. If a person refuses to wear a mask they may be sighted for contempt of court and mandated into custody. The Justice Service task force is meeting at noon. Administrator Witt is working to create an organizational structure for the task force. A Law Suit has been filed in Eau Claire/Chippewa in the legality of the DRC. As Judge Needham understands in these counties the judge sets a bond and then the case is sent to the independent DRC who then has the ability to modify or fluctuate that bond. CJCC Coordinator O'Keefe and Judge recognized the work the Facilities department has continued to do in the County Board room and courts. Jury's stage in the County Board room for initial meeting and education, lunches, etc. Discussion. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Medical Examiner's Office Update Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner also recognized and appreciates the Telecommunicators and the great job they perform for her team. Schachtner reported the department is working on the increased issue of abandoned bodies and the length of time they are at the DD building. By statute the ME's office is responsible for these bodies. Facilities department has just finished building the decompression room at the DD building. Which will serve investigators before they go home to their families. She will be presenting at the national suicide prevention council in April. One of the ME investigators has received the AMBI Certified death investigator certificate. Another will be testing in July. There will be FEMA money coming out for funeral expenses related to COVID. If COVID was on the death certificate the family can ask to be reimbursed. The office has been receiving calls for getting reimbursed for deaths where COVID was not on the death certificate. Discussions have taken place with health care organizations about the LODOX system. Hospitals are now getting unexpected deaths through Hospital ERs with no access to med records. It is important to the hospitals to have the autopsy information which could be provided by a LODOX system. Schachtner explained she believes she could get a 50% buy in but cannot move forward without the infrastructure for the building. Supervisor Hansen asked what is the cost for upgrading the infrastructure at the DD building? Schachtner met with Jim from Facilities a complete renovation would be in the millions, with roof, windows, doors, electrical and inside remodel. Administrator Witt explained the County Board approved the CIP including the $500,000 with 50% grant, for the LODOX and another $120,000 for building renovations. If a renovation of the DD building is estimated at 3.5 million then the project must go back to CIP and get authorization from the County Board. Chair Feidler spoke on the possibility of a DD building tour as a replacement for the May Public Protection and Judiciary committee meeting. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. CJCC and Subcommittee Updates CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe reported during the Executive committee meeting Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret recommended the combining of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse subcommittees into one subcommittee. It will be the recommendation of the Executive committee to the council to combine the two subcommittees into one Behavioral Health subcommittee. Work will be done to pare down memberships. Next CJCC meeting will be 5/13/2021 at 8:00 AM in the County Board room. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) application is into the national CASA organization. Appears it will be approved for a 501(3c) the county is acting as a liaison for the initial setup and then the program will be handed off to a non-profit. Goal is to start serving kids by the end of summer. Judge Needham explained this program benefits kids who primarily are not placed in home. Three board members identified are from Hudson area. Would like to see volunteers from 2/3 of the other areas in the county. Attracting volunteers and board members is important. If supervisors know of people who may be interested contact himself, Judge Waterman or Mike O'Keefe. O'Keefe also announced the Honorable Ben Wopat, who served the North Hudson Municipal Court for 36 years, will be honored at the May CJCC meeting. Feidler asked Administrator Witt to send out a notice to County Board members who may know constituents who are interested. Administrator Witt will have the Public information officer meet with O'Keefe to get some information out. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Medical Examiner office site visit. Jail review in upcoming meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE There were no announcements or correspondence. ADJOURN 8:47 AM. Adjourned DATE OF NEXT MEETING-MAY 6, 2021