JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vicki Burke, Joe Bilskemper (exc @3:22), Ray Ebert, Bridget Flood, Maureen Freedland, Tara Johnson (exc/arr @2:37), Joe Veenstra (arr 2:37)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Mary Geske, John Steers, Jay Loeffler, Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolf, Steve O’Malley, Cathy Hubert-Marcos, George Marcos, 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/Freedland to approve minutes of May 6, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Veenstra absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bilskemper/Flood to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Veenstra absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
PRESENTATION/COMMITTEE ORIENTATION BY MEDIATION & FAMILY COURT SERVICES
Mary Geske, Director of Mediation & Family Court Services, gave an overview of the department and what services they provide. The program was mandated by the State in 1990; currently have total staff of three which includes one clerk. Three primary services are:
Mediation - Mediation services are provided to separated, divorced and unmarried parents who are in conflict concerning placement and legal custody issues in regard to their minor children. It’s a cooperative process which allows parents to make their own plans and decisions for the best interest of their minor children with the assistance of a neutral third party, the mediator; the parents make the parenting decisions not the mediator. Parents are either referred to mediation by an order from the Court (usually the Family Court Commissioner) or parents may self refer. In order to be referred by the Court, a legal filing for divorce, separation or a paternity action must have occurred. The session informs the parents of different options of managing their conflict, one of which is mediation. At the end of the initial mediation session, parents decide if they wish to mediate or not. Mediation will only continue if both parents agree to proceed which preserves the right to self determination.
Child Custody Evaluations - When parents remain in conflict and are unable to reach consensus regarding the placement, legal custody or other issues pertinent to the best interest of their minor children, one or both parents may petition the Family Court Commissioner to have a Child Custody Evaluation by a
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Child Custody Assessment Team. If the Commissioner orders a Child Custody Evaluation, a Child Custody Evaluator from Mediation & Family Court Services works with two other professionals (an attorney to represent the child(ren)’s best interest, called a Guardian ad Litem and a mental health professional, called a Child Development Specialist) to investigate and evaluate the family. At the end of this process, this team presents to the parents their recommendations for placement and custody based on the best interest of the minor child/children. A formal report is presented to the Family Court Commissioner. Parents then may agree to accept the recommendations or they may choose to go to trial with a Circuit Court Judge.
Step-parent Adoptions - When a step-parent wishes to legally adopt a step child, a screening interview is conducted by this office. This will involve an in-office, when possible, interview with the family members and a public records check with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the County Human Services Department. A formal report is then prepared for the Court as well as information for an amended birth certificate.
Miscellaneous questions; some pertained to charges, parents’ ability to pay, and payment arrangements.
PROPOSAL TO OBTAIN DOG FOR SHERIFF’S DEPT.
Sheriff Helgeson introduced George Markos and Cathy Hubert-Markos, and their dog Cliff, a 6-year old German Boxer. The Markos, who live in the Mindoro area, have offered Cliff, a certified Police K9 Tracker Dog, to the Sheriff’s Dept. on either a lease agreement or by ownership; the details have not been worked out. The Markos have trained dogs for over 20 years and work with other counties in providing K-9 dogs and K-9 training sessions. Cathy noted Cliff is trained as “passive alert”; he is a sitter vs. a barking/aggressive type dog; he was previously used in national and world competition, but since injuring a tooth which cannot be resolved, he can no longer compete; the Markos’ feel Cliff’s experience can better serve the County. Sheriff Helgeson noted the need for a tracking dog, noting certain instances whereby many members of law enforcement and fire departments have been on search missions, some pertaining to lost elderly, lost children, etc. In addition, Cliff is also trained in narcotics detection. Cathy has sought donated veterinary services for up to $1,000, if needed, and is also seeking dog food donations from manufacturers. The Sheriff has discussed this with the 18 Patrol people of which 6 are interested in being Cliff’s main companion, which means full-time in the patrol car and take home dog; the six would meet with the Markos and the dog, after which the best person would then be chosen as Cliff’s handler. Miscellaneous questions by committee members. Sheriff thought the MEG Unit may donate $10,000 to a K-9 program – same as they do for City of La Crosse. Need to check with Corporation Counsel on liability issues. MOTION by Flood/Freedland to authorize the Sheriff and others to pursue the K-9 proposal, as presented, and to bring back to committee. Motion carried unanimously; Bilskemper excused.
PRESENTATION/COMMITTEE ORIENTATION BY MEDICAL EXAMINER
John Steers, as County appointed Medical Examiner, gave an overview of his department. John distributed a handout relating to duties, statistics for 2007, and budget information. The office is regulated by WI State Statues Chap. 979, Investigation of Deaths, and by the County Board. He’s been the Medical Examiner for 15 years and has 3 part-time deputies. Investigations include: 1) all unexplained, unusual or suspicious deaths, 2) all homicides, 3) all suicides, 4) all deaths following abortion, 5) all poisoning deaths, 6) all deaths following accidents, 7) when there is no physician in attendance 30 days prior to death, 8) all deaths that occur 24 hours of hospitalization, and 9) all emergency room deaths. In addition, they issue cremation and disinterment permits. Statistics for 2007:
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201 natural deaths, 27 accidental, 7 undetermined, 15 suicides, 1 homicide, and 420 hospice; total case volume/calls 671 cases; in addition, completed 20 autopsies which are done in Hastings, Minnesota and issued 447 cremation permits.
Miscellaneous questions. They are not involved with medical autopsies – only those that look suspicious. Supervisor Johnson would like more statistical information for prior years. John also noted that he personally owns a human remains detection dog.
REVIEW OF EMERGENCY DISPATCH PROCEDURES AND POLICY REGARDING HUNG-UP PHONE CALLS
Jay Loeffler gave a PowerPoint presentation on procedures and policies regarding hung-up phone calls. The request came about due to recent murder in Madison whereby the victim had called the 9-1-1 center but was disconnected or was an abandoned call; the dispatcher failed to follow-up, though the incident took place in a large apartment complex and officers would have had a difficult time to locate. Jay noted that La Crosse County gets approximately 115 abandoned calls on a daily basis. He reviewed the various types of calls:
· Land lines – give phone number and address of the phone.
· Wireless
ü Phase 0 – no information given; have had 14 this year thus far; these come in from unregistered/no service cell phones. Noted that old cell phones can be used to call 9-1-1 centers, but because of no service, no information is available.
ü Phase 1 – Shows the number and tower location (2/3 of the calls are this type)
ü Phase 2 – Shows the number and location of the caller (1/3 of the calls are this type)
ü What affects cell signals: phone manufacturers, phone model, wireless service, capacity of the tower, geography, and atmosphere conditions.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, July 8 at 2:30 p.m.
NEXT LEC CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, July 8 at 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Freedland/Johnson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Bilskemper excused. The meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder