HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Management 12-15-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 1 S, 2009
8:30 a.m.
Committee will meet at the St. Croix County Government Center,
Community Room
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS — N/A
DATE OF NEXT MEETING — 1/12/2010
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Emergency Management Director's Position
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
** Additions /Changes /Corrections
Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's
office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting.
12/10/2009 10:10 AM
. MINUTES — OFFICIAL
Emergency Management and Communications Committee
DECEMBER 15, 2009
PRESENT: Roger Rebholz, John Borup, Julie Speer, Dave Ostness, John Mortensen, Ken Kolbe, Fred
Horne - County Board; Jack Colvard — Emergency Management; Casey Swetlik - Emergency
Communications; J. Shilts, J. Klatt — Sheriff's Dept.; J. VanderWyst — Fire Rep.; D. Briggs — LE Rep.; M.
Samelstad — New Richmond Police Chief; J. Vogt — Roberts/Warren Fire & Rescue; Theresa Johnson —
Town of St. Joseph Chair.
Chair Borup called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: JANUARY 5 or 12, 2010 AT 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, COUNTY BOARD ROOM
DISCUSSION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR'S POSITION
Borup stated that this Committee voted 3/2 against the merging of EM and EC. The Finance Committee
wondered why the first vote resulted in 510, then 3/2. The Finance Committee wants this issue taken to the
full County Board. At today's County Board meeting, the EM Director's job description will be discussed
and also an amended Resolution disapproving the 32 -hour EM Director position. Borup stated there is a lot
of anxiety about the two departments merging and the fear that the EM program would be diluted in some
fashion. Mortensen stated that some members of the County Board and the Emergency Service Agencies
have voiced their concerns — Training, Communication, want the same process (separate departments) as it
is now. Mortensen also stated that this merging did not show a savings financially or in personnel.
Mortensen stated going back to the original way is the correct way to go (separate departments). T.
Johnson stated that without the Emergency Management Department's assistance, they could not have got
through this process (handling a natural disaster in the proper manner, paperwork, recordkeeping, decision
making). Ostness wants to clarify that in the EM budget, there is money dedicated to Training and this
allotment will remain. Rebholz' main concern is that this Committee never did make a decision to
eliminate the EM position nor minimize the position. Rebholz stated we have a commitment to the
communities. Borup stated that he feels now is the time to explore this merging proposal and it would also
bring depth to the EM program. Rebholz agrees. Kolbe asked if this proposal is a Dunn County example.
He stated if it is copied as Dunn County's, their program is an extreme failure. Their responders are coming
this direction because their needs are not being met. Kolbe stated that EM should be independent or in
charge of it all. EM should oversee emergency communications. Ostness brought forward, that in a worse -
case scenario, an outside individual be brought in to look at EM operations, EC operations, find out the
emergency responders needs and County departments' needs and give a direction. This item will go onto
the next EM /C Agenda. F. Horne stated he is in support of a consultant to find out the best practices
throughout the state. VanderWyst stated that Swetlik does a good job now and stacking another duty onto
might take away from the EC operations and also the EM operations.
Colvard brought up a Homeland Security Exercise Grant opportunity; application deadline is 1/12/2010.
Colvard mentioned that the EMPG grant for 2010 went up $400,000 statewide.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Emergency Mgmt. Administrative Secretary