HomeMy WebLinkAboutLECminutes11-09-20GRANT COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
DISASTER SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
GRANT COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES BUILDING
Lancaster, WI 53813
November 9, 2020
The Grant County Law Enforcement/Emergency Management Disaster Services Committee Meeting was
called to order at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom by Chairman Roger Guthrie. The following members and personnel
were present:
LAW ENFORCEMENT/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISASTER SERVICES COMMITTEE: Gary Ranum, John
Beinborn, Greg Fry, Porter Wagner, Robert Keeney and Gary Northouse.
GUESTS: Sheriff Nate Dreckman; Chief Deputy Jack Johnson; Steve Braun, Emergency Management
Director; Coroner Phyllis Fuerstenberg; Shane Drinkwater, Information Technology; Garry Pluemer,
Facilities Maintenance Manager; Joyce Roling, Personnel Director; Carol Beals, Grant County Board of
Supervisors; The Herald Independent and Kelly Bird, Recording Secretary.
Kelly Bird verified the agenda had been posted at the County Clerk’s Office, Community Services
Building, courthouse and on the county website. Gary Ranum second by John approved the agenda.
Porter Wagner second by Bob approved the minutes from the October 12 meeting with two corrections.
All above motions carried.
Under Public Forum some of the members have received calls concerning the release of Greg Coulthard
who killed Deputy Tom Reuter in 1990. Mr. Coulthard is up for parole and there are a group of ladies
called “Grandma’s for Greg” who are supporting his release. Sheriff Dreckman does not support his
release and has also spoken to the Reuter Family. There is not enough information on his possible
release at this time.
The anonymous donation for Body Cams was for $45,895.85 and was received on October 31. The
original proposal for Body Cams for all Deputies was $45,000.00. The amount donated will cover the
cost of all Body Cams.
Coroner:
Coroner Phyllis Fuerstenberg is still very busy. The Grant County Coroner’s have been asked to back up
Crawford and Lafayette County in the event that their Coroner’s test positive for COVID. The number of
autopsies done this year is down due to the restrictions during COVID.
It was motioned by Gary Ranum and second by Gary Northouse to approve the Coroner’s Financials and
Invoices. Motion carried.
Sheriff’s Briefing:
The monthly activity report was reviewed for October. Calls for Service for October were 2969 with
Grant County handling 1203. Inmate population was at 41 this morning. There were 33 inmates in
house, 30 male and three female. Six are on the Electronic Monitoring Program, one has been
transferred to another county for Huber Work Release and one is being held in another facility. There
were 27 sentenced inmates, nine waiting to be sentenced and five on Probation Holds.
The staff has been COVID free in the jail. There have been three Deputies that have tested positive as
well as many that have been exposed.
The Sheriff discussed extending the current two year warranty on the generator that was suggested by
Racom. The cost would be $3,200.00 and extend the warranty to five years. Porter Wagner second by
Greg Fry made a motion to not purchase the extended warranty. Motion carried.
The migration of Dispatch to the Community Services Building is close to complete. There are currently
two Dispatchers at the Community Services Building and one at the old Law Enforcement Center. This
has gone well with only minor issues.
The tower foundation has been poured and they will start stacking in December.
Under Personnel there are no updates.
There was no Training do discuss.
There were no Grants to discuss.
The Sheriff’s Office Invoices and Financials were presented. Porter Wagner second by John Beinborn
made a motion to accept the Invoices and Financials. Motion carried.
Emergency Management:
Emergency Management Director Steve Braun presented the Director’s Report. There has been a big
surge statewide in the positive number of COVID-19 cases with the Health Care System reaching
capacity. The Flu Season will cause additional problems. Staffing and transferring critically ill patients
have been the biggest problems for local hospitals. The Personal Protective Equipment Distribution
continues with small masks being the biggest challenge to purchase. Steve will be moving all of the
Personal Protective Equipment out of the EOC room so that room can be used for training.
Steve would like to thank the local Lions Clubs for helping with the distribution of the PPE.
The mitigation project in Cassville is moving along well.
Steve discussed the amount of hours he has put in due to the COVID. He has put between 600-700
hours over regular hours. This issue has also been discussed with the Health Department. These
employees as well as Steve are exempt status and salaried employees. The Executive Committee will
discuss this issue further and also involve the Personnel Director.
The LTE that was hired did not work out. Steve would like to have the flexibility to staff the office as
needed. Steve will work with Bob and Joyce to meet the LTE Staffing needs.
Emergency Management’s Invoices and Financials were presented. John second by Gary Ranum made a
motion to approve the Invoices and Financials. Motion carried.
John Beinborn second by Porter Wagner made a motion to adjourn to December 14, 2020 at 9:00 am.
Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Fry, Secretary
Kelly Bird, Recording Secretary