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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2021 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE March 4, 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 Chair Feidler called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM 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: Judge Ed Vlack, Judge Michael Waterman, Judge Scott Nordstrand, CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe, County Administrator Ken Witt, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz, Patrick Hoel and meeting organizer Janet Smith. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee Regular Meeting February 4, 2021 8:00 AM February 4th minutes were approved by a Berning/Tomtschik motion. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Financial Report January 2021 Administrator Witt reviewed the January financial reports (attached in the agenda packet) and the preliminary end of year 2020 financial reports. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Circuit Court update Judge Vlack reported on the current status of the Circuit Court. Courtroom one has jury trials running. Judge Waterman spoke on the operational plan of the circuit court with jury trials suspended in November other than those constitutionally mandated. As of March 1 all trials are moving forward and the continue to work on the back log of jury trials. The courts remain vigilant with jurors who are required by law to appear. Judge Waterman expressed appreciation for all county departments who have been affected by the courts and appreciates all the support given to accommodate the courts. Judge Scott Nordstrand also expressed appreciation for all the support and work in upgrading the courtrooms with new technology. Courtrooms are also being fitted with the ability for digital recording. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Introduction of Inmate Education and Program Coordinator Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz introduced Patrick Hoel the newly hired Inmate Education and Program Coordinator. Mr. Hoel spoke on his experience within the justice system and social work settings in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Discussion. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Community Justice Collaborating Council and Subcommittees Report CJCC Coordinator Mike O'Keefe reviewed the reports attached in this agenda packet. HHS Director Bob Rohret has suggested merging both the mental health and controlled substance abuse subcommittees. Judge Waterman reported on the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children program. The CASA is not a social worker or court appointment but is a volunteer system for kids placed outside the home. 90% of Child protection relates to drug use of parents. The mission of this program is to have one reliable adult that represents the child. The program is not a governmental agency it is a volunteer program. There is need to have a paid coordinator position. Discussion on the history of CASA. Judge Vlack stated statutes include the importance of the best interest of the child. Judge Vlack reiterated that having a person in the courts who speak solely on the interest of child is very important. Judge Nordstrand explained this program is designed to not be a governmental agency but ran as a non-profit board. Discussion. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Medical Examiner's Office Update Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the department functions. Cremation rates have increased in popularity which eliminates the option of going back to a body for more information. The department is responsible for determining the cause and manner of an unexpected death. The needs of the department have been reviewed. The building in which the ME office is now housed needs to be updated in order to have a forensic center and house the LODOX system. The update/upgrade would be around $4 million. Every county in NW Wisconsin sends their autopsies to MN at $1,400.00 per autopsy. A digital overlook (LODOX) system would determine if there were fractures, projectiles and be able to rule out causes. In 2020 there were 163 scene visits and 40 autopsies. Schachtner would like to see St. Croix County be able to offer the autopsy services to all surrounding counties. Schachtner will pursue state funding options for this project and welcomes help in the form of contacting state legislature. There is potential to provide the services for all surrounding counties. Administrator Witt confirmed the LODOX system is budgeted at $500,000 with a possible grant covering 50% of the cost and building improvements of $120,000. The improvements the Medical Examiner has explained is for more than the items currently in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). Discussion. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future agenda items ADJOURN 9:26 AM Adjourned. A. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Chair Feidler attended the Bridgepoint training offered for Law Enforcement. He expressed how impressed he was on the training itself. Sheriff Scott Knudson expressed how the training is meant to help Law Enforcement and he thanked the Chaplain group for bringing this training to our community. DATE OF NEXT MEETING APRIL 1, 2021