HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2023 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
August 3, 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 Present
Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Others present; County Administrator, Ken Witt, Chief Deputy, Brent Standaert, Justice
Support Services Director Phil Galli, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Child Support
Administrator Lisa Plunkett, Clerk of Court Kristi Severson, Judge Scott Needham,
Meeting organizer Janet Smith.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – June 1, 2023 8:00 AM
Minutes approved
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for June 2023
Administrator Witt informed the committee the financial reports included in this agenda
packet are the same as presented at the full county board meeting on Tuesday but only
for the reporting departments.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Resolution Establishing a Pretrial Subunit of the Justice Support Services Department
Authorized to Perform Pretrial Release Supervision in St. Croix County
Justice Support Services Director Phil Galli explained the history of how criminal history
reports have been processed through the Sheriff's Office and now Emergency
Communications division. Justice Support Services would like to run the criminal history
reports in office. In order to gain access to the information A requirement of the In
order to do that the department needs this resolution passed in order to meet the
Department of Justice and FBI requirement indicating the pretrial services is a subunit of
Justice Support Services department. Motion by Supervisor Leaf, seconded by Supervisor
Carlson, to pass the resolution. Discussion. Motion passed
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/5/2023 5:00 PM
MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
SECONDER: Mark Carlson, Supervisor
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg
3. Resolution Designating County Jailers WRS Employment Status
Administrator Witt gave a brief history and explanation of the WRS rules for protected
retirement status for jailers. There are two resolutions included in the agenda packet the
options are; maintain status quo (protected status) or designate the staff as general
employees. Leaf moves to keep the classification of protected Class Sprvsr Carlson
seconded. Motion passed
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/5/2023 5:00 PM
MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
SECONDER: Paul Adams, Mark Carlson
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg
4. Circuit Court Update
Judge Needham reported on the Circuit Court. A new Court Reporter was hired and
will start on August 14. Clerk of Court will be fully staffed as of this coming Monday.
Welcoming two new assistant corporation counsels to court. Assistant District
Attorney's received a pay increase within the current state budget. Public Defenders
will also get increase due to $100 per hour in the state budget. Discussion
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. Update on the jail railing project
Chief Deputy Brent Standaert appeared to report on the Jail railing project. Standaert
has worked with Facilities Director Mabis and Project Manager Chris Bos and area
vendors to bring the initial $700,000 estimated cost to around 500,000. Some of the
cost difference could be due to build in place vs prefab. The project remains in the
CIP at the original estimate. If this committee wants to modify the budget item they
can. Supervisor Ramberg, Motions to support the updating of $700,00 to $550,000
Supervisor Leaf Seconded. Motion passed.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor
SECONDER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg
6. Medical Examiner's Office Update
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported there will be a Resolution at upcoming
meeting for fee increases. There are currently two sets of fees; agency and storage,
charged to other agencies. Fees include cremation, death certificate signing and
disinterment. MN charges $25 for cremations, Wisconsin charges $150.00. Currently,
deaths that happen in MN and come to St. Croix for cremation the Department does
not charge a fee. The department tracks the number of deaths that happen outside
of the county and comes to St. Croix County for cremation. Potential for increases
fee or if the county wants to start charging for in county deaths. Currently, St. Croix
County processes approximately 600 cremations per year (Medicare not charged).
Currently the office is 22 cases ahead of last year. Storage time is increasing.
Discussion. New Drug testing program starting. The office is looking at drug testing
of decedents on a system called RANDOX results within 20 minutes of running the
test. The cost of the RANDOX machine is approximately $50,000. Increase in home
burials (approved by State of WI is legal the historical society needs to be notified.
Department is looking at how these need to be followed through upon. Working on
establishing an appropriate ashes garden. Helping other counties due to short staff
in these counties.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No items offered.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
No items offered.
1. Annual Jail Inspection
8:45 AM recessed to the Jail lobby to complete the annual inspection. Chief Deputy
Standaert, Jail Captain, Kris Anderson. Lieutenant Joe Kormanik and Lieutenant Scott
Rhode lead the committee throughout the jail. Current Jail roster and 2023 jail
inspection report was handed out for member review. The inspection was complete
at 10:58.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned from the jail at 10:58 AM
DATE OF NEXT MEETING SEPTEMBER, 7, 2023