JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vicki Burke, John Medinger, Jacie Gamroth, Maureen Freedland, Joe Bilskemper, Keith Belzer (exc/arr@2:46)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Bernie Maney
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolf, Doris Daggett, Jane Klekamp, Bill Pretasky, Steve O’Malley, Bill Shepherd, Matt Zavadsky, Jim Klock, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Freedland/Gamroth to approve minutes of December 11, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Belzer, Maney excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bilskemper/Gamroth to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Belzer, Maney excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000
Copies of one check requisition were sent with the agenda. Committee Chair Burke noted it is for the Emergency Dispatch Center and is for the annual charge for radio service contract with Communications Service, Inc. Steve O’Malley noted it as their usual yearly charge. MOTION by Freedland/Medinger to approve payment of $59,440.37 to Communications Service, Inc., for the radio service contract period of 1/1/08 thru 12/31/08. Motion carried unanimously; Belzer, Maney excused.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY SERVICES
Jane Klekamp distributed a written report, dated January 8, 2008, regarding community service. She noted Bill Pretasky, Community Service Coordinator, was also present to answer questions. The Carey Group also recommended “more fully utilize the opportunity for supervised work crews” per their report. Jane reviewed current practice. Types of offenders that are considered for such: 1) offenders incarcerated for failure to pay county fines, 2) programs within Justice Sanctions, such as treatment courts or clients sentenced to electronic monitoring, and 3) referrals from Dept. of Corrections to fulfill a court order. Jane noted currently there is no way of providing transportation for work crews; though based on cost and resources, the service could possibly be expanded. It was also pointed that with the new jail expansion, the plan is to use more inmates for food service and laundry. Bill Pretasky noted currently he supervises individuals that are doing 400-700 hours of community service per month. General agreement by committee members to look at expanding the program.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF CONTRACT BETWEEN LA CROSSE COUNTY AND GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTER RE: PRE-APPROVAL MEDICAL DISPATCH INSTRUCTION SERVICES
Committee Chair Burke noted a presentation was made before the committee in the summer of 2007. This new system would provide life-saving medical advice to callers and would cut response time; the goal is to enhance medical services. Noted a revised resolution and contract was redistributed as it needed a name change, that being: Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc., d/b/a Gundersen Lutheran Emergency Medical Services Communications Center. Steve O’Malley briefly reviewed the proposed service; he commended Jay Loeffler and others for working on this endeavor which will be an enhancement to emergency services; he also noted that it was unanimously approved by the Public Safety Communications Board. Bill Shepherd was also present to answer questions as the drafter of the agreement. MOTION by Belzer/Gamroth to approve the resolution which approves the agreement for pre-arrival medical dispatch instruction services with Gundersen Lutheran. It was pointed out that it will be an automatic renewal based on review and agreement by the Public Safety Communications Board. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
APPROVE BID FOR PURCHASE OF NINE (9) MOBILE RADIOS FOR SQUAD CARS
Jeff Wolf, Chief Deputy, reviewed the bid for purchase of 9 mobile radios as needed for 4 older cars and 5 for the new squads. Copies of the bid form and related information were sent with the agenda. Jeff noted it as sole source bid/purchase as Communication Services is a Motorola dealer in which the Sheriff’s Dept. has the maintenance contract for all of their radios. The bid is also based on the Wisconsin state contract for Motorola products. MOTION by Bilskemper/Medinger to approve the sole source purchase of 9 mobile radios from Communication Services at a cost of $34,982.35. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
APPROVE BID FOR PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) DIGITAL MOBILE CAMERAS FOR SQUAD CARS
Jeff reviewed the bid to purchase 5 digital mobile cameras as needed for the 5 new squads. Again, it is a sole source bid/purchase as they need to be compatible with the current system. Copies of the bid form and related information were sent with the agenda. MOTION by Belzer/Medinger to approve the purchase of 5 digital mobile cameras from L3 Communications (Mobile Vision) in amount of $26,600. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
UPDATE ON JAIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Steve Helgeson and Doris Daggett reviewed new jail policies and procedures which are based on similarities of Dodge County facility. Reason for is based on less stress for Jailers and inmates and a safer jail. Along with punishing wrong-doers, it was decided to reward those that behave. Started meeting on this in August; received input from staff; and the Sgts. did some one-on-one training with the Jailers. In November, started moving some inmates to “Level 3” housing; focus was on inmates that had at least a 2-week stay or more and targeted mid range classification status, and in particular on those that had good behavior. Rewards include: cell doors open all day, pencil sharpeners, plastic chairs with backs, stay up longer at night to watch evening news, extra visiting privileges on Sunday afternoons, and during movie night (Saturday) given 2 liter bottles of soda to share. Doris noted that some eligible inmates did not want to move; not sure why, but some indicated that they liked their single cell. Noted that inmates are required to sign an agreement, and if they break the rules, they are removed. Numbers in that housing unit range from 13-18.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Supervisor Belzer suggested Tim Gruenke present information on two new programs as used in the DA’s Office; one in particular on worthless checks.
At this time, Committee Chair Burke noted an All Hazards Mitigation Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to review the plan as prepared by Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission. Members of this committee are invited. She noted such a plan is needed in order to receive certain types of federal grants relating to flooding.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING
Committee Chair Burke noted the 4:00 p.m. meeting today for the LEC Construction Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Bilskemper/Gamroth to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused. The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder