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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection 01-14-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE JANUARY 14, 2009 - 8:30AM ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER ROOM 1281 1101 CARMICHAEL ROAD HUDSON, WISCONSIN CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: December 11, 2008 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 11, 2009 OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Web Browser/Visions Update 2. Bills, Vouchers, Capital Outlay* 3. Motel /Hotel /Travel Expenditures* 4. 2009 Budgets* 5. Mission Statements /Goals* 6. Medical Examiner — Casey Swetlik a. Annual Evaluation 7. Child Support Administrator — Katy Kapaun a. Annual Evaluation 8. District Attorney Eric Johnson, Victim /Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson 9. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Patrol Captain Scott Knudson, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Accountant/Office Manager Mary Martell a. Expenditures: Drug Fund/Confiscated Acct. /Jail Assessment ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) * These items may be heard by each Department ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Submitted by: Julie Speer Date: December 31, 2008 Copies to: County Board office News Media County Clerk Committee Members Respective Department Heads Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 12/31/2008 8:33 AM ST. CROIX COUNTY PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING January 14, 2009 Official Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, Cindy Leonard, Laura Gunderson - Tommerdahl and Roger Larson; John Borup arrived at 8:52am. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Patrol Captain Scott Knudson, Accountant/Office Manager Mary Martell, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, Child Support Administrator Katy Kapaun, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting (arrived at 8:41 am) and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: None. Meeting called to order at 8:35am by Chair Speer. Motion by Gunderson - Tommerdahl, 2 nd by Larson to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Larson, 2 n by Leonard to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2008 meeting. Carried unanimously. The next regular meeting will be February 11, 2009 at 8:30am and the March meeting will be on the I 1 at 8:30am. MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented December 2008 Medical Examiner bills in the amount of $1,075.00, outlined the calls for service and the year -to -date budget summary. Motion by Gunderson - Tommerdahl, 2 nd by Leonard to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Swetlik presented a statewide comparison concerning cremations and death certificate processing fees and noted St. Croix County is a bit above average for cremations and a bit under for death certificates. Swetlik explained there may be a considerable amount of investigation time involved with processing death certificates, depending on the case. Discussion regarding the current fee, the number of death certificates processed per year and the time involved for the Medical Examiner's office. Discussion regarding the cost being the responsibility of the decedent's family and whether the fee should be increased; the committee recommends not increasing the fee. Swetlik presented a handout regarding 2008 accomplishments of the Medical Examiner's Office and highlighted specific aspects. Swetlik stressed the importance of working with loved ones of the deceased and the importance of effectively working with law enforcement. ANNUAL EVALUATION /MEDICAL EXAMINER (in open session): Speer outlined evaluation process options and the evaluation form to be used; Whiting shared what other committees have done. Brief discussion regarding status of Springsted. Discussion regarding Swetlik's exceptional communication with area funeral homes, law enforcement, attorneys, students /interns and the excellent cooperation with the Public Protection Committee. Swetlik noted time restraints continue to be his biggest obstacle and noted there will be a time when the position cannot continue as part-time. Discussion regarding the current work load of Swetlik's two positions (that of Emergency Communications Director and Medical Examiner) and whether coordinated role management would be a future option. Brief discussion regarding storage of death scene images; Swetlik explained the images are stored P g m a secure folder within the county directory. Swetlik reported other agencies /neighboring counterparts tend to come to him for guidance and he describes this as a recognizable point in his career. Swetlik commended the ME deputies, noting they are extremely professional and have an unbelievable relationship with law enforcement. The committee members reported they appreciate Swetlik's monthly reports, both written and oral and feel he does an excellent job in his position. Swetlik thanked the committee, noting he appreciates the support and feedback. Borup and Leonard will compose a written evaluation for approval at the next meeting. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented December 2008 bills in the amount of $1,586.64, outlined specific expenses and also presented the budget status report. Discussion regarding the stressed economy, job losses and impact on the office; Kapaun described the immediate crisis as well as the demand on the office and the court system. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Leonard to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Kapaun presented a spreadsheet regarding process server costs and explained she has worked with Management Systems Specialist Dana Baker. Kapaun reported Seven - County Process Service was the lowest bid and it is the service they currently use. Discussion regarding budget impact of a private server, uncertainty of state funding, department reimbursement and renewing the cooperative agreement with the Sheriff's Department. Kapaun reported she is inclined to stay as is for 2009; the committee will re- evaluate for 2010. Kapaun reported collections over $945,000 last month and noted she credits her staff for their performance; Kapaun noted her department was recognized by the state for outstanding achievements. Brief discussion regarding non -4D case work; Kapaun reported current status is there will not be reimbursement for these cases and she has been asked to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee to work with the federal government on reimbursement. Kapaun provided an update on the state call center, reporting there is a 50150 split determining its benefits and the state does not have the funds for it; Kapaun summarized she would be surprised if it were implemented in 2010. ANNUAL EVALUATION /CHILD SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR (in open session): Speer explained the evaluation would be discussed and Leonard and Borup will prepare a written evaluation to be presented for approval at next month's meeting. Kapaun reported her department had a very successful year, noting improvements and goals, and cited the achievements recognized by the state. Kapaun credits her staff as they deliver premium customer service in challenging times. Brief discussion regarding staff union/non -union status; Kapaun reported it is only a matter of time until all her staff is union. Brief discussion regarding department morale. Kapaun reported she appreciates the support and the good working relationship with the Public Protection Committee. Kapaun explained present challenges and noted her focus is to move in the -2- best interest in the county. Kapaun reported she is concerned with committee structure and what the County Board downsizing will bring. The committee commended Kapaun on her excellent dedication to her department and her committed service to the overall good of St. Croix County. DISTRICT ATTORNEY /VICTIM WITNESS REPORT: Johnson presented December 2008 District Attorney bills in the amount of $4,439.51 and clarified specific expenses. Johnson noted the subpoena service charges from other counties and believes St. Croix County should charge as well. Motion by Larson, 2 " by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Johnson reported Dave McQuillen has retired and they have hired Amber Hahn as Assistant District Attorney. Gunderson - Tommerdahl left the meeting at 10:30am. Johnson reported he will soon deliver his "State of the Office" speech to his staff, explaining he gives the speech each time he is elected to office. Johnson reported they gave out approximately seven thousand 2009 Stop Drugs calendars noting the majority were delivered to area schools. Discussion regarding state funding cuts and impact on county budgets. Johnson reported he is concerned about two lawyer grant positions and is waiting to see what happens with the state budget in February. Discussion regarding first time drunk driving offenses becoming a crime depending on legislative decisions; Johnson reported he sees this as a good idea but it would provide for a huge work -load impact on the DA office. Johnson reported the Victim Witness Office is pleased with their new office accommodations and there will be two interns this term to perform reception duties. Johnson reported his department has 2010 budget concerns; he is closely watching what happens nationally and its impact on state funding. Short break taken at 10:39am; reconvened at 10:48am. REPORTS OF THE SHERIFF DEPT /JAIL /PATROL CAPTAIN: December 2008 Jail bills in the amount of $111,761.43 were presented and specific expenses were clarified. Hillstead and Martell noted some supplies and medications are most cost effective if purchased locally. Motion by Larson, 2 "d by Borup to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. December 2008 Sheriff Department bills in the amount of $37,314.58 were presented and some specific expenses were clarified. Motion by Borup, 2 "d by Leonard to approve the bills as presented. Carried unanimously. Shilts explained the dive equipment expense, citing they expanded on a mutual aid agreement with Washington County, Minnesota and it is more advantageous to use law enforcement for recovery. -3- n Shilts reported the county will not participate in the Minnesota fuel consortium but they are looking into fuel bids and Management Systems Specialist Dana Baker is exploring other options. Hillstead reported the department has entered into an agreement with an on -line auction service to sell unclaimed property. Shilts explained this service is specifically for law enforcement property and Corporation Counsel Timmerman has approved the contract. Discussion regarding the dwindling Huber jail population; Hillstead reported the general jail population has increased somewhat and he is still actively looking for agencies that may want to rent space. Brief discussion regarding the 2008 budget; Hillstead reported bills continue to trickle in but the department should come in under budget (overall). Hillstead reported he has had meetings with Building Services Director Art Tobin regarding upcoming building projects in which electricity, gas and water will be shut off in the jail for periods of time. Knudson reported there will be an award ceremony on January 29 to recognize citizens as well as members of the agency for heroic /outstanding efforts. Brief discussion concerning newspaper publication of County Board proceedings. Hillstead reported he feels limiting the publications is a disservice to citizens; Whiting reported it is his understanding the Finance Committee will further discuss this issue. Meeting adjourned at 11:25am. Cindy Leonard, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary Approved February 11, 2009 -4-