HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-2023 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
December 7, 2023 8:00 AM
St. Croix County Government Center -Room 1284
Government Center -1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Paul AdamsSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Bob FeidlerSt. Croix CountyChairRemote
Mark CarlsonSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Tim RambergSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Others in Attendance: Others in attendance: County Administrator Ken Witt, District
Attorney Karl Anderson, Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner, Clerk of Court Kristi
Severson, Child Support Administrator Lisa Plunkett, Corporation Counsel Heather Amos,
Justice Support Services Director Phil Galli, Sheriff Scott Knudson, Judge Scott Needham,
meeting organizer Janet Smith and other staff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Public Protection & Judiciary Committee Regular Meeting November 2, 20238:00
AM
RESULT:ACCEPTED
2.Public Protection & Judiciary Committee Special Meeting November 7, 20234:00
PM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for October 2023
Administrator Witt reported on the financial report, included in the agenda packet. The
reporting departments are in acceptable ranges for this time of year.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Circuit Court Update
Judge Scott Needham reported the Clerk of Court office was fully staffed last month and
down one position this month. The CJCC is working on Child Protection and mental
health issues for the youth. Mental Health and dependency issues continue to be a
challenge. Judge Needham spoke on the wait times for mental health services.
Discussion. Judge Needham thanked the construction crews for being quick to respond
to noise concerns.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. MN Legalization of Marijuana Impact on Law Enforcement in St. Croix County
District Attorney Karl Anderson reports the legalization of marijuana in MN does not
affect WI enforcement. The St. Croix River is the only spot where there maybe a
question. Sheriff Knudson reports there has been not been a directive to staff to
change any of the protocols. Judge Needham says St. Croix County is absolute
sobriety condition. Every effort is made to make it perfectly clear of the absolute
sobriety for testing and monitoring.
Dr. Galli reports the marijuana question comes up from time to time for pretrial
testing.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Resolution Authorizing Referendum to Increase Tax Levy for Public Safety Positions
Administrator Witt reviewed the resolution which proceeds the referendum. Review of
the proposed referendum. One position was eliminated to stay below the 1,000,000 .
That position was a correctional deputy. The proposed position of investigator in DA
was a part-time investigator. The Referendum increases tax levy by 1.96%. The
included positions are; two mental health co-responders, two correction deputies,
one Sheriff investigator, one half-time District Attorney investigator, one youth
justice early intervention specialist, one deputy clerk of court. Supervisor Adams
suggests arranging the referendum to have the co-responders and youth justice
early intervention specialist listed first. Judge Needham suggests a semicolon in the
wording prior to the listed positions. Discussion. Adams/Ramberg motion to
approve the resolution as amended. Motion passed. Discussion on possible ways
to get information out to the citizens prior to the vote.
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] Next: 1/2/2024 5:00 PM
MOVER: Mark Carlson, Supervisor
SECONDER: Tim Ramberg, Supervisor
AYES: Cathy Leaf, Paul Adams, Bob Feidler, Mark Carlson, Tim Ramberg
5. Justice Support Updates.
Director of Justice Support Services, Phil Galli reported on a truancy public forum he
attended in Madison. Tr uancy is a challenge across the state. There may be some
movement in 2024 on how it is addressed.
Construction has begun in New Richmond for the alternate testing site. Should be
going in January 2024. Historically there has been a phone number to call which tells
the caller whether they need to come in and test. This phone line was provided free
of charge. About 6 weeks ago the line broke. As a fix an app has been created. Long
term looking at different opportunities for this.
The department has 2 colleagues out on maternity leave. Any questions can be
referred to Dr. Galli and he will direct to the appropriate staff member. Discussion.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
8:29 meeting adjourned
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - JANUARY 4, 2024