JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

2:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Bernie Maney, Maureen Freedland, Joe Bilskemper, Jacie Gamroth (arr @2:32), John Medinger (arr @2:33),  Keith Belzer (exc/arr @2:33/exc @2:58)       

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None       

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Steve Helgeson, Jay Loeffler, Keith Butler, Jane Klekamp, Brian Tippetts, Jeff Gloyd, Gloria Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Sharon Hampson, Jim Kloch, Mike McKee, Matt Zavadsky, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Maney/Bilskemper to approve minutes of April 10, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Belzer excused; Gamroth and Medinger absent.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Maney/Freedland to receive and place on file the following Consent Agenda item:

• CJMC Minutes of April 18, 2007

Motion carried unanimously; Belzer excused; Gamroth and Medinger absent.

At this time Chairperson Burke asked for introductions from all present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH PRESENTATION

Mike McKee, of Gundersen Lutheran, and Matt Zavadsky, of Tri-State Ambulance, gave a presentation, including PowerPoint, on a proposal of going to an EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) operation.  The goal is to enhance the level of emergency services.  The proposal would change how medical emergency calls are handled and medical crews are dispatched.  People reporting a medical emergency would stay on the line with a specialty trained dispatcher who would provide medical advice until first responders and paramedics arrive.  The new system would provide life-saving medical advice to callers and would cut response time to almost zero minutes.  As soon as they call 9-1-1 they would be told what to do in order to assist with the situation.  The system would consist of new computer software called ProQA that would consist of nationally used protocalls that can be used for emergency as well as non-emergency situations.

Tri-State and Gundersen Lutheran will absorb the cost of starting and operating the program; no cost to the taxpayers of the County.  This same EMD system will be offered to surrounding counties as well.  Noted with EMD, liability is lessened due to reducing the need for “hot” calls and less chance of accidents for those responding.

This proposal was recently presented at a Public Safety Communications Board meeting.  Corporation Counsel is currently looking into who has authority over type of system used by the County Emergency Services/Dispatch.  Supervisor Medinger said such decision should be made by the elected officials. 

Steve O’Malley encouraged members of this committee or any County Board Members to attend the next Public Safety Communications Board meeting planned for May 30 at 1:00 p.m.      

RESOLUTION RE MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROGRAM

Brian Tippetts and Jeff Gloyd reviewed.  In 2000, WI waterways were tested and medication related contaminants were found.  La Crosse County wants to offer satisfactory disposal by utilizing the Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Program.  The Solid Waste Dept. and Sheriff’s Department will develop and implement medication collection and a disposal program that meets local, state and federal regulations.  Estimated start-up costs are $25,000 and a fundraising campaign led by program partners will see that these costs are covered; any future funding will be covered by existing and future HHM budgets.  MOTION by Freedland/Bilskemper to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Medinger questioned collection.  Jeff noted only at the HHM site or by HHM mobile collections.  Motion carried unanimously; Belzer excused.

RESOLUTION RE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK IN LA CROSSE COUNTY – MAY 20-26, 2007

MOTION by Bilskemper/Gamroth to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Belzer excused.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR’S REPORT

Keith Butler gave a brief overview of the Emergency Management Office functions and duties.  He presented a PowerPoint as well as distributed a handout.  Highlights as follows:

• Currently brings in two types of grant funding dollars to help offset expenses.  One relates to responsibilities and duties as outlined in Wis. Stats. Chapter 166 which is under this committee’s authority.

• The second grant relates to Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know that is under the authority of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).  Currently 50 facilities in the County are required to have emergency off-site plans due to threshold amounts of hazardous chemicals housed at their facility, and another 100 facilities are required to have filled-out forms on file.  There is a Regional Level A Team that can respond to major emergency situations and local Level B Teams for less emergency situations.  This grant also requires exercise training – either full scale or tabletop.

• Coordinates the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.

• Supervises the all-volunteer Mass Casualty Team.

• Provides training to the Community Emergency Response Team in cooperation with the Health Dept. and administers related grant dollars

• An AmeriCorps volunteer is working on disaster preparedness for special needs and vulnerable populations

• Develop and maintain a permanent Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which is located in the basement of the Administrative Center (former 9-1-1 Center).

• Since 9-11, has administered over $1 million in Homeland Security grants

• Volunteer liability is a concern and is being reviewed by County staff.

• Currently have four EOC-type trailers located throughout the County.

• In need of a generator and larger office space for storage needs.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

At the suggestion of Jay Loeffler due to time constraints, he suggested moving his presentation to next month’s meeting.  Chairperson Burke and committee members concurred.

FOLLOW UP FROM COUNTY BOARD RETREAT – WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

Steve O’Malley said this came about from the County Board Retreat, noting some Board Members indicated that they would like more information.  Chairperson Burke suggested more committee involvement with legislative issues.  Other suggestions were information on juvenile justice and emergency preparedness for the aging population.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

• Public Safety Communications Administrator’s Report

• Medical Examiner’s Report

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Maney/Bilskemper to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Belzer excused.  The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder