HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-2023 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
April 6, 2023 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 Excused
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present
Mark Carlson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – March 2, 2023 8:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for February 2023
Administrator Ken Witt discussed the financial report for February 2023.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Medical Examiner's Office Updates
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner discussed her staff's schedule has been busy and
they are doing 12 hour shifts. They recently hired two new staff. They also hired an
intern for the unnatural deaths project, and are progressing forward with the historical
death project. Medical Examiner noted the increasing obesity in St. Croix County and the
impact on her department which frequently requires assistance from the fire department
with movement of the deceased.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. CJCC Meeting Update
Judge Needham informed the committee how the recent state constitution changes will
influence the courts but it will not significantly change what St. Croix County Judges are
doing. Needham discussed the challenge the courts are having getting defense
attorneys appointments and are working on a solution. Needham welcomed a new hire,
Ross Munns, District Court Administrator to St. Croix County. Justice Service Director,
Phil Galli discussed the appearance numbers for defendants attending court is up for all
cases and there has been positive feedback from clients seeking counseling for
treatment. Judge Needham and Galli will be forming a new committee for Child Welfare
and are looking for members to join the committee.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Treatment Court Funding Sources
Justice Service Director, Phil Galli informed that treatment court has reopened. The
challenge with treatment court clients has been the Medical Assistance (MA) health
insurance dropping when the client is placed in jail. The assessment for treatment is
delayed due to MA dropping and the client not having the funds to pay for it. Galli has
worked with HHS Deputy Director, Sharlene Lopez to come up with a solution to not
delay the assessment and to start treatment in two phases.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. Ordinance Creating Chapter 37 - Uniform Addressing System
Corporation Counsel, Heather Amos explained the ordinance of making uniform the
address system for first responders, emergency services, fire department, police
department, and U.S. Postal Service. Public comment was given the impact of the
ordinance and requesting grandfathering of his existing address and that of his
neighbor. Ramberg motioned, Leaf second to postpone a final vote on the ordinance
until June 1 meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
RESULT: POSTPONED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/1/2023 8:00 AM
MOVER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor
SECONDER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg
EXCUSED: Paul Adams
6. Emergency Management- Flooding Information and Resources
Emergency Management, Natasha Cardinal discussed flooding information and
resources for St. Croix County. She noted the high water will crest in mid to late April.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
7. Emergency Communications- Next Gen-911 Update
Emergency Communications, Terry Anderson, discussed the St Croix County Sheriffs
Office -Emergency Communications Center is upgrading their 911 system to the NG911
platform. Advantages are better location accuracy of wireless callers, redundancy of the
system, and 911 phone lines being processed at both Primary and Backup Centers. This
new system also allows for more 911 callers to attempt to ring into the center. The tenth
caller to 911 at the same time would automatically rollover to our backup county 911
center for processing. St Croix County 911 transfer capabilities would improve with full
911 information being passed back and forth between Minnesota agencies. Additionally,
this NG911 system prepares St Croix County for features down the road of video and
pictures to be received when that technology is available.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
8. Sheriff’s Office - Updates and Activity
Sheriff Scott Knutson discussed in one month they received about 2,500 calls and they
had a tremendous of calls on March 31-April 1 due to a strong blizzard. The Sheriff's
Department is getting new equipment in June/July including body and dash cameras.
Sheriff Knutson and his officers are experiencing challenges with emergency detention
services and the extended time the officers wait to get a person into a detention center
for mental and behavioral services. Discussion occur about state legislative solutions
that are pending. The Sheriff noted the Public Safety referendum didn't pass. Sheriff
Knutson indicated he will continue to provide statics to the public to show the enhanced
need for public safety personnel in St. Croix County.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 am.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be held on May 17 at 5:30 pm in New Richmond at Northwood Technical
College for the Alcohol Symposium presentation.