The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03-14-2019 Community Justice Collaborating Council Minutes MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY JUSTICE COLLABORATING COUNCIL March 14, 2019 8:00 AM County Board Room-Government Center County Board Room - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Kate Avoles, CJCC Vice Chair at 8:00 a.m. Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Fred Johnson St. Croix County Director, Health & Human Services Present Patrick Thompson St. Croix County County Administrator Present Roger Larson St. Croix County County Board Chair Present Dave Ostness St. Croix County Chair, Health & Human Services Board Excused Andy Brinkman St. Croix County Chair of Public Protection & Judiciary Committee Excused Scott Knudson St. Croix County Sheriff Present Scott Needham St. Croix County Hon. Scott R. Needham, Branch III, Chair CJCC Excused Scott L. Cox St. Croix County Corporation Counsel Present Kristi Severson St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court - proxy Shelly Fox Present Kathleen Avoles St. Croix County Bar Association Representative, Vice Chair CJCC Present Mark Lemke St. Croix County Supervisor, Division of Community Corrections - pr Present Curt St. Croix Faith Based Representative Excused Thomassen County Alison Page St. Croix County Medical Community Representative Present Randy Morrisette II St. Croix County Citizen Member Excused Mark Richert St. Croix County Police Chiefs' Representative Present Brian Smestad St. Croix County Attorney Manager, Office of State Public Defender Excused Michael Nieskes St. Croix County District Attorney Present Agnes A. Ring St. Croix County Citizen Member Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Community Justice Collaborating Council – Regular Meeting – January 17, 2019 8:00 AM PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS 1. CJCC and Treatment Alternatives & Diversion (TAD) Grant Budgets Mike O'Keefe, CJCC Coordinator, discussed the CJCC and Treatment Alternatives & Diversion (TAD) Grant budgets. He states both budgets are within approved guidelines to date. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. City of New Richmond Housing Presentation - Mike Darrow Mike Darrow, New Richmond City Administrator gave a presentation on the lack of affordable housing in their area, especially with the closing of the Lowry Hotel. The City of New Richmond stakeholders came together to find a way to secure housing for the people being evicted from the Lowry Hotel. After a number of planning meetings they were able to secure housing for all 32 individuals. Craig Yehlik, New Richmond Police Chief states each person was treated with dignity and respect and at the end of this they were able to obtain voluntary compliance. He is confident what was offered through the City and Grace Place ended in viable housing for everyone involved. Chief Yehlik states homelessness is a community issue and solutions should include county representatives, city, law enforcement and non-profits. Currently the steering committee is attempting to find landlords interested in providing more rental units. Duana Bremer, Salvation Army discussed efforts by her organization to address homelessness in the community. She referred to a model in Green Bay, WI that could be replicated in this area where there are six of eight units scattered in the community and paid for by churches or community groups. There would be a safety net of funds to cover the costs of repairs and this might alleviate some of the landlords concerns. Pat Thompson, County Administrator commended the group on their efforts and Fred Johnson, HHS Director, states that members of his department are committed to assist and working towards a resolution. Agnes Ring, Citizen Member, extended appreciation to the group on their efforts. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Barron County Letter of Support - Jayme Closs Mike O'Keefe, CJCC Coordinator, gave an update on the letter of support that was sent to Barron County in Support of the work done with Jayme Closs and her safe return. Curt Thomassen drafted the letter on behalf of the CJCC. There was a motion at the January CJCC meeting to send this correspondence on behalf of the Council. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 14 - April 20, 2019 Sheriff Knudson states that Dispatch Center is at the hub and should be recognized for the valuable service they provide to citizens and communities. Senator Schachtner publicly acknowledged Emergency Support Services and the Sheriff’s Office for their work. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Draft Community Substance Use Survey Kim Kitzberger, Treatment Court Coordinator and Phil Galli. UWRF Assistant Professor, are hoping to get 30-60 respondents for the Substance Abuse Survey. The plan by mid- May is to have a pilot group collected and launched by July 1, 2019. Agnes Ring has a demographic question and asked if they could use zip codes to determine geographic locations and the answer is yes. Alison Page states the community health needs assessments has members on the committee from the medical community and questioned how to get access to that information. Patty Schachtner, St. Croix County's Medical Examiner, is seeing chronic alcoholism as a public health issue. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. Discussion on the Documentary Presentation, "Written Off", a Story of Opioid Addiction Patty Schachtner states a St. Croix County Drug Court person brought the video, Written Off, to her attention and it presents addiction from a different perspective. After viewing the documentary there will be a panel of experts that will take questions from the audience. The next viewing will be in New Richmond in May, 2019. RESULT: DISCUSSED 7. CJCC Subcommittees Updates Mike O’Keefe, CJCC Coordinator, gave and update on the progress being made by the CJCC Domestic Violence Subcommittee. They are in the process of impementing a compliance court which will involve the Courts, District Attorney's Office and Division of Community Corrections (Probation & Parole). The next steps for this group will be helping to develop resources for children that have witnessed domestic violence. They will also focus on treatment for the entire family unit. The CJCC Criminal Justice Subcommittee added Chris Drost, Jail Captain and Gordon Young, Chief, River Falls Police Susan Capparelli, Chair, Community Engagement Subcommittee, states they are looking at the development of a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program in St. Croix County. Fred Johnson, Chair, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Subcommittees states they are looking at early intervention and prevention programming as priority items. He also states they continue discussions emergency bed needs in our area and Critical Incident Technique (CIT) training. RESULT: DISCUSSED 8. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Presentation - April 24, 2019 Judge Waterman announced there will be a presentation on Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) on April 24, 2019, County Board room. He states there is a potential to receive grant funding to hire a CASA Coordinator in our county. CASA workers provide a voice for children in court cases which are usually out of home placements. The presentation will be given by Sue Schwartz, WI CASA State Director. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 a.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next CJCC Council Meeting is Thursday, May 9, 2019, 8:00 a.m., Government Center - County Board room. The next CJCC Executive Subcommittee meeting is Thursday, March 28, 2019, 12:00 p.m., Government Center - Administration Conference room - 1411.