HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Management 02-09-11 Minutes
ST. CROIX COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
February 9, 2011
Official Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roger Larson, Steve Hermsen, James Stauffer, Roger Rebholz, Fred Horne
and Robert Shearer. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Joe Hurtgen
STAFF PRESENT: Emergency Communications Director Casey Swetlik, Assistant Director Terry
Andersen, Human Resources Director Tammy Funk and Recording Secretary Amy Geurkink.
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Doug Briggs of Somerset Police Department.
Meeting called to order at 9:30am by Chair Larson. Motion by Stauffer, 2nd by Horne to adopt the
agenda. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Stauffer, 2nd by Horne to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2011 Emergency
Management Committee meeting. Carried unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on March 9, 2011 at 8:00am (or following the 7:00am Public Protection
Committee meeting).
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Half-time position: Swetlik referred to the documentation sent previously to committee members
concerning justification for the half-time position. Discussion concerning the purpose of this agenda
item and Supr. Norton-Bauman’s request of the committee to report on the impact of not having the
position.
Discussion regarding the various responsibilities of the municipality and that of the county in the event
of an emergency or disastrous event. Swetlik explained the ultimate responsibility is with the
municipality and the county is placed in a position to assist. However, some municipalities don’t have
sufficient resources and they rely on the county; Swetlik cited the recent flooding as an example.
Chief Briggs reported the emergency operation within the Village of Somerset maintains a liaison with
the county and explained the emergency plan is supposed to be handled at the lowest agency first
(which is the municipality), then on to the county, state and federal levels.
Swetlik displayed volumes of files, policies, shelter plans, maps, etc. He indicated many are outdated
and all need to be made electronically accessible. Swetlik reported the half-time person would be
responsible for this project and explained the impact of not having it done.
Discussion regarding Emergency Management’s responsibilities and whether they are required to
notify citizens of impending storms, whether they live in a flood plain, etc. Swetlik responded it is for
evacuation/sheltering purposes and explained various plans need to be implemented in order to receive
grant funding.
Motion by Stauffer, 2nd by Horne to pass along the informational documents to the County Board and
add as agenda item for discussion at the March County Board meeting. Discussion regarding
reviewing the workload of the department. Roll call vote: Hermsen-no, Rebholz-yes, Larson-yes,
Horne-yes, Stauffer-yes, Shearer-no. Motion carried.
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Review of bills: Swetlik presented January 2011 bills in the amount of $855.70 and clarified various
expenses. Motion by Horne, 2nd by Hermsen to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously.
CDBG EAP Guidelines: Swetlik reported thirty-three applications are being considered and the
subcommittee (consisting of Larson, Rebholz and Stauffer) will review on February 28th.
Emergency Management Ordinance Review and Update: Swetlik reported they are continuing to work
with Corporation Counsel.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS REPORT:
Review of Bills: January 2011 bills in the amount of $9,067.15 were presented and Swetlik explained
various line items. Motion by Stauffer, 2nd by Shearer to approve the bills as presented. Brief
discussion regarding the MARCO contract. Motion carried unanimously.
Tele-communicator vacancies and the soft hiring freeze: Swetlik explained his request to go directly
to the County Board for approval to fill tele-communicator vacancies without obtaining prior approval
of the Emergency Management and Administration Committees. Motion by Horne, 2nd by Stauffer to
approve. Discussion regarding existing staff, vacation time, overtime costs, workload, essential
positions and the purpose of the soft hiring freeze. Roll call vote on motion: Hermsen-no, Rebholz-
yes, Larson-yes, Horne-yes, Stauffer-yes, Shearer-no. Motion carried. Discussion regarding why the
soft hiring freeze was implemented if departments are allowed to get around it.
Meeting adjourned at 10:22 am.
Steve Hermsen, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary
Approved 03/09/2011