JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

2:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Maureen Freedland, Joe Bilskemper, John Medinger, Jacie Gamroth (arr @2:37)         

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Bernie Maney       

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Keith Belzer 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Pam Radtke, Tim Gruenke, Al Blencoe, Steve O’Malley, Dave Bonifas, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:32 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Bilskemper/Medinger to approve minutes of March 11, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Belzer and Gamroth absent. 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Bilskemper/Freedland to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:

• Law Enforcement Center Construction Committee Minutes of March 11 and March 25, 2008
• Criminal Justice Management Council Minutes of February 20 and March 19, 2008
• Criminal Justice Executive Committee Minutes of February 13 and March 12, 2008
• Highway Safety Commission Minutes of February 13, 2008
• Local Emergency Planning Committee Minutes of January 16, 2008

Committee Chair Burke noted that she had a question on the Highway Safety Commission minutes noting new legislation for increase in the fine for littering – from $50 to $1,000; seems like a dramatic increase.  Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Belzer and Gamroth absent. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

CLERK OF COURTS REPORT ON WARRANTS

Pam Radtke and Tim Gruenke presented information on warrants.  As of yesterday (4/7/08), there are 2,600+ active warrants for just the County Circuit Court; this does not include municipal courts.  There are four (4) types of warrants:

1)     warrant for commitment (non-payment of fines, fees, child support)

2)     bench warrant (failure to appear in court)

3)     arrest warrant (issued by DA’s Office for probable cause)

4)     juvenile capias (a legal writ or process commanding the officer to arrest the person named in it) 

The Clerk of Courts Office enters 175-200 warrants per month into the judicial system.  In 2002, the Judges decided those warrants under $300 will only be picked up from within the County or contiguous counties.  In 2003, the Judges agreed to cancel inactive warrants over 5 years (was 7 years).  There is another new policy for bench and arrest warrants, whereby the DA’s Office will review yearly those over six years to determine dismissal; if dismissed and if there are new charges, the individuals can be recharged.  Collections are handled by internal attempts, civil judgment, state tax intercept, or collection agency.  For 2007, collected $87,000 using the tax intercept program; $43,000 collected thus far for 2008.

At this time Committee Chair Burke commended Tim Gruenke for receiving the “Voices of Courage” award from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

RESOLUTION RE ADOPTING THE LA CROSSE COUNTY MULTI-HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN 2008-2012

Dave Bonifas, Planner of the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC), gave an overview of the County Multi-hazards Mitigation Plan 2008-2012 as prepared by MRRPC.  The plan is a requirement of the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; counties and other local governments that participate in the planning process are eligible for federal Hazard Mitigation Grant programs.  These grant programs can assist in planning, relocation and infrastructure projects that reduce and sometimes eliminate losses and damage from hazards.  The plan was prepared under the direction of the County Local Emergency Planning Committee as coordinated by the Emergency Management Coordinator and it took almost two years to prepare.  The purpose of the plan is to identify goals, projects and actions to help reduce hazard risks to life, health and property.  A total of 18 natural hazards were identified, including pandemic flu though not a requirement; flooding is the County’s major issue.  A public hearing was held on January 9, 2008.  All municipalities in the County also need to approve the plan.  Dave also noted that because the County is a member of the 9-county MRRPC area, that the plan was prepared as part of their services that they provide to their member counties.  MOTION by Freedland/Bilskemper to approve the resolution which adopts the La Crosse County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan 2008-2012.  Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Belzer absent.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Committee Chair Burke noted that she sent a letter of support on behalf of the committee as part of a grant as being sought by Justice Sanctions and CJMC.

Committee Chair Burke also distributed copies of the press release relating to use of the County’s Bearcat at an incident in Richland County; she also shared a picture of the damage done to the Bearcat due to gunfire, though Richland County is most likely responsible for the repair costs and reimbursement of La Crosse County personnel.

Future agenda items:  orientation to new committee members by departments under this committee’s jurisdiction; and a report from the Boat Patrol.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, May 6^th at 2:30 p.m.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee Chair Burke noted a 4:00 meeting today.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Gamroth/Bilskemper to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused; Belzer absent.  The meeting adjourned at 3:02 p.m. 

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder