HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-2022 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
August 4, 2022 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
Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Paul Adams St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present
Mark Carlson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Supervisor Excused
Others in attendance: County Administrator Ken Witt, Medical Examiner Patty
Schachtner, Clerk of Court Kristi Severson, Child Support Administrator Lisa Plunkett,
Justice Support Services Director Phil Galli, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Judge Scott Needham,
Judge Scott Nordstrand, Judge Michael Waterman, Pretrial Services Program Supervisor
Shelby Hilden, meeting organizer Janet Smith and other staff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – July 7, 2022 8:00 AM
Motion by Cathy Leaf seconded by Mark Carlson to approve with amendment by adding
the jail roster which was distributed at the July meeting. Passed.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for June 2022
Administrator Witt reviewed the Financial reports included in agenda packet. Witt
complimented the Department Heads by staying within budget.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Circuit Court update
Judge Scott Needham reported on the current happenings in the circuit court. Judge
Needham reported the courts continue to see a rise in court cases. The CASA
program is moving forward. There are currently four courtrooms only three are
secured access from the jail to the courtroom. Judge Needham spoke on the needs
for secured courtrooms in the remodel/build project. The judges have expressed
their need of being all on one floor. Judge Waterman and Judge Nordstrand spoke
in support of having all courtrooms secured for the safety of all involved.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Resolution Designated Public Safety Answering Point for St. Croix County
Administrator Witt explained this resolution is to officially designate the St. Croix County
Dispatch center as the Public Safety Answering Point for the county. Motion to
recommend to approve this resolution designating St. Croix County as the primary
Public Safety Answering Point by Supervisor Leaf, seconded by Supervisor Adams.
The motion passed.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
SECONDER: Paul Adams, Supervisor
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson
EXCUSED: Tim Ramberg
4. Sheriff's Office update
Sheriff Scott Knudson reported on the Somerset incident from last weekend. His report
is limited to similar report given to the media. He is sensitive to the judges in the room
and the continuing investigation. There will be a debrief for the Emergency Services
personnel who have been involved. Supervisor Leaf thanked the Sheriff for the work
done and paying attention to the mental health of all first responders. Supervisor Adams
thanked the Sheriff for his calming presence. The National Night Out was Tuesday
night. The Canine group was out along with the Communications Van, the MRAP
and Patrol cars and deputies. Shop with the cop is August 31st.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. Justice Support Services Pretrial Trial Data Update
Justice Support Services Director Phil Galli reported a visit was made to the La Crosse
county Justice Support Services center. Galli introduced Shelby Hilden the Supervisor in
JSS. Hilden summarized the handout given to the committee (attached to these
minutes). Judge Needham spoke on the JSS group and the pretrial assessments. The
courts are pleased with the reports. Supervisor Leaf thanked the JSS staff for the
report. Discussion.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
6. Medical Examiner's Office Update
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner presented the committee with an update on the
Medical Examiner's Office. Child death review process is being reviewed with Public
Health. This is required per statute. This year the county has had 16 deaths of people
between the ages 1-25 and 6 of those were between the ages of 0-1 years old. The
department is looking at processes to better record when patients are transported out
of the county and then pass away while returning to St. Croix County. No authorities
are being notified when this happens. Working with Sheriff and Corporation Counsel
on how to manage better manage the recording process of these deaths.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
7. Forensic Science Center presentation
Medical Examiner Schachtner directed the committee to review the Forensic Science
Center in Marathon (attached to these minutes). St. Croix County is moving forward with
the forensic center and thanked the PPJ committee and County Board for supporting the
business plan for the Forensic Science Building.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
8. Presentation by Medical Examiner on unnatural deaths in St. Croix County
Schachtner directed the committee to the presentation included in the agenda packet
regarding suicides happening in the county. The presentation was created by a
Northwest intern.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
9. Update on the CT scanner room construction project
Facilities Director Jim Elsbury spoke with 5 close counties and a few counties on the
other side of the state. There is a known problem that bids from contractors are hard to
get. The CT scanner project is being slowed due to humidity control needs to be better
and the transformer needs to be upgraded. The project should be completed by end of
August.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Lisa Plunkett (Child Support) announced it is Child Support Awareness Month.
Bob recognized the work Supervisor Adams does on the Hudson Fire Department
Kristi Severson (Cl;erk of Court) is working on new software, staffing is an issue. She has
some concerns with the building project such as remote file storage and temporary file
location.
ADJOURN
Adjourned at 9:11 AM
DATE OF NEXT MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 2022