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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2021 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE October 7, 2021 8:00 AM St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin 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 Present Paul Berning St. Croix County Supervisor Present Shelly Tomtschik St. Croix County Supervisor Present Others present; Child Support Administrator Lisa Plunkett, Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz, Judge Scott Needham, Judge Scott Nordstrand, Judge Ed Vlack, Judge Michael Waterman, Finance Director Leah Simington, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Justice Support Services Director Susan Capparelli, Highway Commissioner Robbie Krejci, District Attorney Karl Anderson, meeting organizer Janet Smith. 1. Circuit Court update Judge Needham reported the Clerk of Court filled one of the three vacancies. Discussion on CASA and the hiring of a Director for that program. Judge Needham read a statement detailing his thoughts on the relationship between the judicial branch, county board and county administration. The relationship has always been respectful. On September 14th Judge Needham believes that mutual respect was lost. He currently serves on the Government Center building subcommittee as a non- voting member. He received a phone call from a New Richmond City council member who informed him a county board supervisor was speaking to other city council members attaching Needham's name to the $100 million dollar Government Center building project. Judge Needham explained his role on the building subcommittee to the council member. Judge shared this information with County board Chair Peterson, Supervisor Feidler and County Administration. Supervisor Hansen admitted he was the Supervisor who had contacted the New Richmond City Council members. He opposes the building project. Supervisor Hansen spoke that Needham has reported in previous meetings that at some time there will be need for another Judge and courtroom. RESULT: DISCUSSED APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – September 2, 2021 8:00 AM Moved by Supervisor Tomtschik, seconded by Supervisor Leaf to accept the September 2, 2021 and September 7, 2021 minutes. RESULT: ACCEPTED 2. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Special Meeting – September 7, 2021 5:00 PM RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Supervisor Tomtschik requested statistics from the Justice Support Services department regarding referrals to the District Attorney's Office versus referrals being made. Director Susan Capparelli explained there are many processes that are changing from the prior five years and would be happy to provide numbers with some advanced notice. District Attorney Karl Anderson spoke on the history of bond conditions prior to the Day Report Center. DA Anderson explained that previously, positive tests were charged as bail jumping. But, the new policy in the DA’s office is to generally not charge positive tests, but rather to use that information to aid getting services for the defendant. Justice Support Services is meant to aid connecting defendants to service while on bond. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Financial Report for August 2021 Finance Director Leah Simington reported current budget status of all Public Protection and Judiciary committee departments are in good standing. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Traffic Safety committee update Highway Commissioner Robbie Krejci appeared and reported on the Traffic Safety Committee (see presentation attached to these minutes). Discussion. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Sheriff's Office update Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz reviewed the programs offered in the jail for inmates. Borgschatz reported on the current status of hiring for the jail. There are 9 open positions in the jail. Open shifts that are not filled due to the lack of staffing are being filled by jail deputies (OT), patrol deputies, investigators, court services, and administration personnel. Borgschatz recognized the dedication and sacrifices the entire department has made during this time and the willingness of all staff to work shifts in the jail has been inspiring. Borgschatz reported an assault, by an inmate, to a deputy. A mental health therapist was meeting with the inmate, with a deputy present for supervision, when the assault on the deputy took place. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Medical Examiner's Office Update Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported on current challenges and happenings in the Medical Examiners office. One area of concern is decedent's who have severed ties with family. This causes unclaimed bodies, expenses for the county, possible benefits not getting to the children of the deceased. Schachtner thanked the supervisors for their support in getting the body scanner equipment and project moving forward. Medical Examiner's office is collaborating with WITC and Madison UW for possible future ME internship's to increase the talent pool. Starting on the hiring process for the program coordinator. The department also working on the succession plan for her retirement and the future of the St. Croix County Medical Examiners Office. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE None ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 9:10 AM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - NOVEMBER 4, 2021