Public Safety Minutes 5-13-26

Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee Manitowoc County Communications and Technology Building May 13, 2026 Attendance: Present: Chairperson Supervisor Chris Dallas, Supervisor Dylan Hammel, Supervisor Mike Grabow, Supervisor Scott Schiesl and Supervisor James Lillibridge. Supervisor Dan Heilman was excused. Others in attendance: Clerk of Court Angela Linderud, County Executive Tyler Martell, Board Chair, Supervisor Matthew Phipps, Sheriff Dan Hartwig, Major Kevin Haese, Chief Deputy Jason Orth, Rhonda Green and Melissa Neilson from Emergency Management, IT director Luke Kalista, Branch Fire Chief, Josh Stradl and Supervisor Andrew Schwerma. Chair Chris Dallas called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Roll call circulated and introductions made. Minutes of prior meeting: Chair Chris Dallas asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of the March 11, 2026 meeting. No changes offered. Chair Dallas informs the committee that no corrections confinement report, financial reports, summaries or monthly reports were provided prior to tonight’s meeting. Election of Committee members. Motion made to appoint Mike Grabow as first vice chair. Motion carries. Motion made to appoint Dylan Hammel as second vice chair. Motion carries. Chair Dallas opens the floor to public comment. No comments. Comments closed. Sheriff Hartwig reports on current department operations and recruitment. He asked that we look into a policy to create a lateral transfer for new hires, so they start with vacation time carried over from their previous employer, and for the most recent new hires, who have just been employed by the Sheriff’s office. This will open up more opportunities for qualified employees to apply. Department is looking into creating a school resource officer in Reedsville High School. Suggestion is made for the committee to consider revisiting courthouse security with a new US Marshall security assessment. Major Kevin Haese gives update on Axon body cams after first month in service. The Emergency Management director provides information on current policies of county-wide public safety radio system and the process for encryption authorizations. Director Green stated that she did not need to handle the encryption requests and that the department heads could manage them. She has plenty of work to manage and this could go somewhere else. The Radio System Advisory group has been functioning for the past three years without adopted policies that grant radio authorizations and radio authorizations for encryption. Chair Dallas expressed concern about a committee operating without adopted policies and procedures that grant permission for radio access. Further discussion on the change of authority from Emergency Management back to department directors is tabled. Chair Dallas to discuss with Corp Counsel and prepare the paperwork to present to the board. Luke Kalista gives the update on WiPSN radio system and this year’s system conversion to DSC. Supervisor Hammel asked if now is the time to look into a single radio system channel, the 800 system, and eliminate the VHF side. Luke stated the contract was for 6 years with Motorola. Chair Dallas asked for more information about what it would take to switch the 800 system. Major Kevin Haese suggested that the Radio Advisory Board fall under the Joint Dispatch Board’s duties; no decision was mate and the matter was held. Next meeting will be June 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. This meeting will be the jail inspection. Motion to Adjourn by Supervisor Grabow and seconded by Supervisor Hammel. Meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Angela A.P. Linderud Clerk of Court For the Committee Chairman Chris Dallas