JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vicki Burke, Maureen Freedland, Jacie Gamroth, Joe Bilskemper (exc @3:20), Keith Belzer (exc @3:35), John Medinger (arr @2:32)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Bernie Maney
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolfe, Mike Horstman, Jay Loeffler, Keith Butler, Jane Klekamp, Steve O’Malley, Dana Malin, Scott Chorski, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Belzer/Gamroth to approve minutes of February 12, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Medinger absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Belzer/Gamroth to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Medinger absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE 2008 TRACS IMPLEMENTATION/EXPANDED USE GRANT IN AMOUNT OF $25,000
Mike Horstman reviewed the grant as administered by the State Dept. of Transportation/State Patrol Division. The grant enables agencies and courts to send electronic records to the State of Wisconsin as soon as possible, as well as same information can be shared between County departments - the Sheriff, District Attorney and Clerk of Courts. The $25,000 grant will purchase most of the needed equipment (laptops, printer and mounts) for most, if not all, of the 5 patrol cars. MOTION by Gamroth/Bilskemper to accept the 2008 Wisconsin TraCS Implementation/Expanded Use grant in amount of $25,000. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
COUNTY S.W.A.T. TEAM PRESENTATION
Jeff Wolf reviewed, as well as gave a PowerPoint presentation, relating to the County S.W.A.T. Team; information included history, training, and an actual incident. Highlights as follows:
· A Team started as a result of a city police officer being shot in a standoff in November, 1989.
· Was first a City of La Crosse and County Team (3 county & 15 city officers).
· In August, 1990, the Team had its first call - a standoff situation in Holmen.
· Shortly after, the joint team split into two teams - County and City, though continued to offer mutual aid and share resources & equipment.
· In 1999, the County Team reorganized and included officers from Campbell and Onalaska due to their interest, and there may be more municipalities involved in the near future.
· The Team is currently at 20 members and the only Team in Wisconsin that has a physician on it.
· Do minimum of 4 hours a month of training; have used a barn at the Fairgrounds and abandoned houses; all officers are required to attend 40-hour training and a firearms training; and have trained with other agencies’ tactical teams.
· Currently have two negotiators on the team and may add more.
· Since 1990, had at least 30 dangerous calls, plus monthly calls relating to drug searches and arrest warrants.
· In addition to regular officer equipment, other equipment includes tear gas, night vision, a throw-phone, ballistic shields, distraction devices, etc. In addition, a van was purchased with drug enforcement grant funds.
· Have worked with some schools regarding incident planning and exercises.
· Showed pictures and actual 9-1-1 call relating to Philip Schuth incident on French Island.
· Philosophy is: never enter unless absolutely necessary.
Presentation followed by questions and answers.
UPDATE ON DIVE RESCUE TEAM REQUEST
Sheriff Helgeson noted Jim Speropulos met with two members of the Dive Rescue Team at Hillview and showed them the possibility of using an empty bay(s). They liked the idea as several live in south side La Crosse, plus one member could pick up the van, boat and equipment and not worry about connecting the boat trailer to the van which would have to be done if located in the new Sheriff’s garage. They wanted to review the options with the rest of the team. As of today, have not heard back. At this time, Jeff Wolf distributed copies of a letter from David Lange, dated January, 1998, relating to liability and workers compensation for the Dive Rescue Team. Per State Statutes and if the Dive Rescue is responding at the request of the Sheriff, they are covered under the County. Recently checking with David Lange, this still holds true.
EMERGENCY TEXT ALERTS AND EMAIL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM PARTNERSHIP
Keith Butler and Scott Chorski (WKBT-TV8) reviewed the proposal for emergency text alerts. WKBT agrees to provide, at no charge, access to one message category area for the County for Emergency Alert Notifications. The responsible County staff person would be given a unique password as the only County staff person to author and send Emergency Notifications in the message category area. As part of the partnership agreement, the County agrees to actively promote and encourage people to sign up for this service in an effort to recruit as many users as possible for this service. Scott noted this same service is being offered to other area counties. For text messaging, there may be charges as set by the phone carrier. Email notification is currently available to anyone that signs up for such service via the WKBT website. MOTION by Belzer/Freedland for the County to become involved in the WKBT-TV8 emergency text alerts and email notification system and proceed with the appropriate partnership agreement. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
UPDATE ON WOMEN’S COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM
Jane Klekamp reviewed. An informational sheet was sent with the agenda. Overview as follows:
· In December, 2007, YWCA was chosen as the provider of women’s community based services.
· They just finished their 2nd round of interviews for staffing the program.
· Justice Sanctions has held regular meetings with YWCA relating to implementation and monitoring.
· County IT Dept. is establishing a network between YWCA and Justice Sanctions.
· County recently received $50,000 grant from La Crosse Community Foundation for the housing component. The County Purchasing Manager sent RFP’s to real estate agents to procure housing – leased or purchased. Hopefully by the end of March, a real estate agent can be secured.
· In the May meeting cycle, plan to bring a housing solution (lease or purchase) to the HHS Board, Judiciary & Law Committee, and County Board. Estimated housing occupancy is June.
· Once YWCA community-based staff on-board, female inmates will be interviewed for appropriate referrals.
Miscellaneous questions and answers; some related to real estate agent RFP process. Jane also noted the program is only for sentenced females.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
None requested
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee Chair Burke noted a 4:00 meeting today and another planned for March 25th.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Gamroth/Medinger to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Maney, Bilskemper, Belzer excused. The meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder