HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2024 Public Protection & Judiciary Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
January 4, 2024 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 Departed
Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Paul Adams St. Croix County Supervisor Present 8:20 AM
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Chair Present
Mark Carlson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Others present; Ken Witt, County Administrator, Scott Knudson, Sheriff, Phil Galli, Justice
Support Services Director, Judge Scott Needham, Patty Schachtner, Medical Examiner,
Heather Amos, Corporation Counsel, Kristi Severson, Clerk of Court, Lisa Plunkett, Child
Support Administrator.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Public Protection & Judiciary Committee – Regular Meeting – December 7, 2023 8:00
AM
Ramberg/Carlson move to accept.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Report for November 2023
Administrator Witt reviewed the November 2023 Financial report (included in agenda
packet).
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Restitution Court
Chair Feidler, Supervisor Leaf and Administrator Witt attended a restitution court (Judge
Nordstrand presiding) on 12/29/23 to review restitution plans. Supervisor Leaf spoke on
attending the restitution court. Judge Needham spoke on the process of the DOC
(Department of Corrections) distributing restitution funds. Oldest case is paid first per
WI Statute. Discussion. Judge Needham asks the courts be involved in discussion prior
to any formal proceedings by this committee.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Criminal justice statistics
Justice Support Services Director Phil Galli spoke on the gathering of information on
inmates with bail at $500 or less. 15% of 117 inmates in custody are on cash bail of
$500.00 or less. Discussion on a "criminal justice dashboard". Reporting departments
are asked for general statistical information. Departments can submit statistical
information to Dr. Gali to compile this information.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Circuit Court Mental Health assessments and treatment challenges
Judge Needham reported DHS in 2022 reported they will be unable to offer AODA
treatment. A 2 month gap of treatment court and assessments. Programs for Change is
offered at area hospitals. What is the county's responsibility of providing treatment?
County can provide assessments but outside agencies may not accept those. The same
issue applies for mental health. Waits can be months. How are we going to get
treatment back to the county. Discussion
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. Circuit Court AODA
RESULT: DISCUSSED
6. Justice Support Services - consolidating testing services (alcohol and drug)
Dr Galli reported on drug and alcohol testing. One of the initiatives is to consider
consolidation of drug and alcohol testing. Currently JSS provides testing for pretrial
clients, treatment court clients, and diversion clients. In 2023 extended that testing to
some family court participants. After working with Corporation Counsel, Judges and
CPS the department has taken on an additional 30 cases. The department will
continue to monitor this program, working on policies with Corporation Counsel and
other involved units.
Soon testing will be offered in New Richmond. This will assist people to get to
testing by initiating a testing service in New Richmond. Review of this initiative will
take place in 6 months to gauge how this is affecting and/or improving testing and
providing services.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
7. Medical Examiner's Office Update
Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner reported deaths at home are increasing and
therefore investigations also are on the rise. 12 deaths with death investigation so
far this year. Multiple decedents have no pre-planning for funeral wishes or plans.
This increases the time bodies are being held. Sometimes Up to 2 weeks. Schachtner
has been teaching Funeral/death preplanning classes for two years at local churches,
libraries, The class is offered through UW extension. Discussion
DNR (Do not Resuscitate) orders are not being followed (for example) a cancer
patient falls or requires emergency care. Increases the investigations. Corporation
Counsel Amos spoke on how people from another site can be placed in our county.
Guardianship or placement is under state contracts for placement options.
Discussion on elderly care, hospice, DNR's.
Statistics will reflect the increasing complication of investigating accidental deaths.
Amos: MN has a statute requires care facilities have these documents on the door of
each patients doors. Amos has spoken with Schachtner about possibly moving this
forward. Discussion.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mental Health Assessments,
Restitution Court
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024