JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

2:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Joe Bilskemper, Tara Johnson, Joe Veenstra, Ray Ebert, Maureen Freedland, Bridget Flood (arr @2:32)            

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None           

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Tim Gruenke, Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolf, Mike Horstman, Michael J. Williams & wife Deb, Jay Loeffler, Keith Butler, Al Blencoe, Patty McDonah, Kim Olson, Kim Williams, Mike Sievert (NICE Security), Steve O’Malley, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen, and media

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Freedland/Bilskemper to approve minutes of August 12, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Flood absent. 

CONSENT AGENDA

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

• Criminal Justice Management Council minutes of August 20, 2008
• LEC Construction Committee minutes of August 12, 2008
• Local Emergency Planning Committee minutes of August 20, 2008
• Public Safety Communications Board minutes of April 28, 2008

Motion carried unanimously; Flood absent.  

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

Emergency Dispatch Employee Recognition – Michael J. Thompson

At this time, Jay Loeffler introduced Mike Sievert of NICE Systems (a national security system company) who in turn presented Michael J. Thompson with an employee recognition plaque for his dedicated service as Line Supervisor of the La Crosse County Emergency Dispatch Center for dealing with record number of calls during the August 2007 flood.  It was noted that Thompson worked an 18-hour shift at the Dispatch, followed by assisting the Emergency Government.  Mr. Sievert noted Mike’s recognition as “above & beyond the call of duty.” 

CHECK REQUISITION PAYABLE TO CENTURYTEL FOR MONTHLY ROUTER CHARGES

Jay Loeffler distributed copies of the invoice from CenturyTel that showed the monthly charges from January-September 2008 for E911 router charges.  CenturyTel billing got backlogged in their billings, so it ended up as a 9-month charge which is over $20,000 so it needs committee approval.  He also noted the amount will be reimbursed by the State through the wireless surcharges.  MOTION by Flood/Bilskemper to approve payment of $27,395.55 to CenturyTel for past 9 months of E911 wireless network costs/router charges.  Motion carried unanimously.   

PRESENTATION BY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Committee Chair Burke noted distributed copies of District Attorney Dept. information taken from the County Administrator’s budget/goals book; it includes the organizational chart, mission, primary services,

And prior years’ budget information.  Tim Gruenke introduced himself to the committee and went on to review as follows, including some information as asked by committee members:

·         Eight prosecutors, including him (state employees) and 15 support staff (county employees) with the State providing the computer equipment so under the state IT Dept.

·         Cover all of the misdemeanor and felony cases in the County, plus Sheriff’s Dept. and UW-La Crosse citations.  Not involved with municipal courts citations.

·         Average 2,000 misdemeanor cases/year; 800-900 felony cases/year, and 1,000 traffic cases/year.

·         Plus 1 Victim Witness Coordinator and 2 staff, 1 Diversion Coordinator, and 1 part-time Investigator.

·         Also handle Treatment Court that is not recognized by the state.

·         Per state calculations, the La Crosse County DA Office is short 3.7 prosecutors; this shortage is common for most counties; all will be asking for additional prosecutors during the next state budget cycle.

·         Try to use more attorney and paralegal interns.  Average prosecutor pay ranges from $47,000 (start) to $80,000 (15 years).

·         Currently not using the County marijuana ordinance; prefer to use the Unity House Program where first-time offenders receive education, do community service, and then the charge is dropped and also not shown on CCAP or arrest record; not many repeat offenders after using this program.

·         Why use of plea agreements.  Tim noted various number of reasons; it’s not a question of whether or not a person did a crime.  If a plea agreement is reached, then no need for a trial. 

At this time Steve O’Malley noted Tim as a key leader in streamlining office procedures, promoting positive change in the justice system, and in particular for his involvement with court scheduling.

PRESENTATION BY INVESTIGATION UNIT/SHERIFF’S DEPT.

Chief Deputy Jeff Wolf gave an overview, on behalf of Capt. Kurt Papenfuss who is out of town, of the Investigative Unit.  Highlights as follows:

·         Five investigators – 1 Capt., 2 Sgts. and 2 Investigators; each have a caseload of 10-15; average 150-200 cases per year.

·         Investigate crimes against persons (sexual assaults, battery, domestic violence, including children’s cases.

·         Investigate property crimes (thefts, embezzlement, arson).

·         Fairly new investigation involving computer crimes.

·         Assist other law agencies in the County, such as Bangor, West Salem, Holmen.

·         Do crime scene processing and reconstruction of traffic accidents.

·         Anticipate oversight of election dignitaries visiting the area.

·         In conclusion, gave an overview of the on-going investigation of the Terry Dolowy case (resident of Barre Mills trailer court / 1985 decapitated murder), and noted the on-going investigation of Shannon Salisbury case, resident of Town of Burns / 1994 missing person.

Miscellaneous questions and answers.  Noted meth labs are almost obsolete in the area due to “Sudafed Law” whereby purchasers have to sign for it, but did note that same/similar drug coming out of Mexico that is starting to cause problems.

ORDINANCE TO REPLACE S. 1.55(2)(c) AND CREATE S. 1.77 TO BE ENTITLED “JOINT CITY/COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMISSION” OF THE GENERAL CODE OF LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN

MOTION by Bilskemper/Johnson to approve the ordinance.  Discussion and questions followed.  Board Chairman Doyle was present to answer questions as the ordinance was prepared per his request.  The proposed ordinance would create a joint city/county EMS Commission to oversee the ambulance service within La Crosse County; total of 10 members:  2 from the County (Board Chair & Vice Chair or designees), 3 from City (Mayor & Council Member or designees and a citizen), Onalaska Mayor or designee, Chair of County Towns Association, 1 elected official from villages, 1 from Gundersen Lutheran, and 1 from Franciscan Skemp.  Chairman Doyle noted that in his discussions, no one from the outlying areas of the city are in disagreement with this proposed ordinance, including the Towns Association, Gundersen Lutheran, Franciscan Skemp, and Tri-State Ambulance; he foresees approval of the ordinance by the La Crosse City Council, though the Mayor has veto power.  He also noted per state statutes, if the City of La Crosse wants an ambulance service, the County cannot stop it.  He also noted citizen movement of pursuing a binding or advisory referendum on the matter though unsure of the status of such.  Supervisor Ebert questioned membership – currently lopsided with more from out of city.  Pointed out that could change – should only consider the positions and not consider where they live.  Discussion on approval timeframe.  Chairman Doyle noted the current Public Safety Communications Board is mostly made up of appointed officials and is not functional – too political.  Currently, there is no signed contract for ambulance service.  The County has a 2-month ordinance approval process; he would like to see the County and City pass the proposed ordinance at about the same time.  Motion carried on 6 to 1 vote; Ebert-no.    

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Supervisor Ebert requested a report on the Boat Patrol, in particular relating to the new slow, no wake ordinance within the City limits.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, October 7^th at 2:30 p.m.

NEXT LEC CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, October 1^st at 4:00 p.m. – CANCELED - due to delay in receiving bid documents; suggestion to hold this meeting on Tuesday, October 7^th.  This means canceling the County Board Planning meeting for October 6^th and holding it on October 8^th.

At this time Committee Chair noted two additional upcoming meetings:

• Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. – planning meeting re the women’s community-based program.
• Sept. 17 at 4:00 p.m. – informational meeting re jail visitation during LEC construction and contracting for legal services to indigent clients.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Bilskemper/Flood to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m. 

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder