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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-2023 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE June 1, 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 Present Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present Mark Carlson St. Croix County Supervisor Late 8:40 AM Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – May 4, 2023 8:00 AM Adams motioned, Ramberg second to approve the May meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Paul Adams, Supervisor SECONDER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Tim Ramberg EXCUSED: Mark Carlson PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS The Impact of the Usage of Alcohol on Public Safety & Protection in St Croix County In January 2023 at the meeting of this committee, because of data provided by the medical examiner reflecting an increasing number of alcohol related deaths in the county, the committee determined to do a further educational event or hearing on that subject. Working with the Health and Human Services Department it was ultimately decided that this committee would gather information as to the impact of alcohol on public safety thus underscoring the importance and critical nature of the topic. The HHS Dept and Board will conduct their own event on May 17 in New Richmond with an emphasis on the mental health and disease aspects of alcoholism. Wisconsin is among the leading states in alcohol consumption and St Croix County is among the leading counties in Wisconsin in indicia of alcohol abuse. The overall economic cost to the county is estimated to be over $65 million. The departments and speakers represented at the PPJ hearing today are: Judges Waterman and Nordstrand; District Attorney Karl Anderson; Chief Deputy Brent Standaert; Child Support Administrator Lisa Plunkett; and Justice Support Director Phil Galli. The Medical Examiner will be providing separate data to the committee next week. The speakers covered several areas ranging from the impact of alcohol that they observe from their various perspectives, statistical data, financial issues regarding treatment, timing issues regarding treatment, and related observations. It was noted that St Croix County used to have a substantial time delay giving assessments of alcohol treatment needs but that this has been substantially corrected. The timing of the actual delivery of treatment is still lagging relative to other counties. Common themes addressed by the speakers were that alcohol is a contributing factor in a huge number of the cases that enter the criminal justice system. Mental health issues also seem to go together with alcohol abuse issues. The need for continued opportunity for treatment for those released from prison or jail was noted, but it was also emphasized that the abuser had to want to seek a cure. It was also agreed that we could not “arrest” ourselves out of the problem, that more preventive care and actions were needed to prevent the problem from ever beginning. It was suggested that the county look further into offering an Intoxicated Driver Intervention Program (IDIP). The JSS Director is going to research the issue, determine if a TAD grant might be available, and report back to the committee in two months. Other early prevention efforts suggested included more education on alcoholism in our schools, adding incentives for people to seek out treatment programs, and possibly seeking outside funding to create and distribute literature on the topic. 1. Financial Reports for April 2023 Administrator Witt offered the financial report for April showing that the balances for all departments were on schedule with their proposed budgets. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. General Update from the Courts Chief Judge Needham informed the committee of new interns starting for the summer, a new staff member, and one of his staff is retiring in August. Judge Needham discussed the constitutional amendment that passed in April 2023 and how it has become a tool when it comes to bails and bonds. Also, there was a Judicial training with Turningpoint - Domestic Abuse Shelter that included the Child Support and Child Protection Services team. The training was helpful and useful on how the departments work together to respond to each case. The cases for foster children needing homes is below 100 which is lower than previous months. The legislative branch proposed an increase in the state budget for both district attorneys and public defenders. The rate for public defenders would increase to $100 per hour. The courts had no increase in their budget. Judge Needham and Sheriff Scott Knutson are concerned about the increase in violence and lack of civility toward humanity in the county. Both are hoping this doesn't continue to increase in the county. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Medical Examiner Updates Medical Examiner Patty Schachter informed the committee her department is 30 cases ahead of last years numbers. The department has been doing more drug testing due to non-historical medical issues and are finding methamphetamine and fentanyl as the cause of death. The drug testing involved in an autopsy requires more research and does cost more but it's helpful in finding the cause of death. Schachter is requesting to hire a full-time position and does have an intern from UW-River Falls for the summer. UW-River Falls has a program for autopsies and is partnering with the county in the use of the new autopsy machine. A partnership with UW-River Falls will grow the UW-River Falls program and the utilization of their new machines will bring more clarity to the causes of death. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Ordinance Creating Chapter 37 - Uniform Addressing and Road Naming System Corporation Counsel Heather Amos informed the committee that Chapter 37 has not been updated since 1983. The proposed changes create a uniform addressing system in the county. Amos and Supervisor Ramberg have been working together on updating Chapter 37. It was motioned by Supervisor Ramberg, seconded by Adams to modify Provisions 37.01 and 37.07(A)(1) to include language that the county will cooperate with the respective towns for road naming. It was motioned by Supervisor Ramberg, seconded by Leaf to modify Provision 37.07(D)(1) to address that not all signs are currently located on the right of the driveway. Allow Corporation Counsel to add language consistent with this motion. It was motioned by Supervisor Ramberg, seconded by Leaf to modify Provision 37.08 to indicate that the county will cooperate with the respective towns to ensure that road naming for private roads and private driveways is acceptable. Allow Corporation Counsel to add language consistent with this motion. All amendments were adopted unanimously and the motion on final adoption was carried 5-0. RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg 5. Adult Treatment Court Fee Schedule Judge Waterman explained the background of the fees with Treatment Court. The clients pay $1000 to participate in the Treatment Court. The problem is with the fee costs that carry a significant burden to the clients. St. Croix County has the highest fees in the state of Wisconsin and some counties don't have any fees. The clients coming to courts are low income, homeless, unable to work due to their felony or conviction. The clients that can get a job only can get lower paid positions due to their convictions or felonies. Treatment Court Coordinator Kait Breuer proposed a fee schedule of $600.00 instead of $1,000.00. Currently, there are no fees but there needs to be fees applied. Treatment Court would work with the clients to get jobs and do community service to pay for the fees in a four phase schedule to pay the $600.00 fee. Leaf motioned, Ramberg second to approve a fee schedule of four phases in the $600.00 Treatment Court fee. Motioned carried 4-0. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor SECONDER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Tim Ramberg ABSENT: Mark Carlson 6. Consideration of Capital Improvement Projects for Public Protection Departments Administrator Witt discussed the newly added and current capital improvement projects for the public protection departments. The projects will be funded by the CIP money fund. Witt presented the information to get feedback and answer any questions from the committee before the approaching Committee of the Whole on July 18. RESULT: DISCUSSED-NO ACTION REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Sheriff Knutson has planned a jail inspection is for the August 3 meeting. Administrator Witt announced the Wisconsin ACT 4 signed into law will reclassify the county jailers under the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). The county will have options on how to proceed relative to the protective status classification. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 9:20 am. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting is August 3, 2023.