09-07-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 7,2004 2788 MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the joint powers agreement to establish a public sector recruitment and training program for translators; and to approve an additional $3,000 from the Refugee Interpreter grant to be used for this project. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 21. SOCIAL SERVICES, Review of leaislative information on Merit System Mrs. Hogan provided hand-outs containing an agenda and information for a meeting she scheduled between Cass County legislators and commissioners on September 10, 2004, concerning issues and options relative to Social Service employees on the State Merit System. The meeting begins with lunch at noon in the Annex basement meeting room and is scheduled to last about an hour. At issue is whether or not legislation should be drafted to allow counties to opt out of the State Merit System. Mr. Meyer asked if all Cass County social service employees are aware of the proposed changes. Mrs. Hogan indicated she had several meetings with employees and no one expressed opposition. Mr. Wagner asked Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Burdick for personnel and legal insight. Mrs. Johnson said she understood the goal of the unified system was to include all aspects of employment, including pay, benefits and at-will status in order to unify the Cass County personnel system. Mr. Burdick agreed that all employees must be treated equally if they are in the same personnel system. Mr. Wagner reviewed the Federal merit system principles with the board and believes Cass County personnel already conforms to those principles. 22. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve Voucher No. 190,240 through No. 190,688. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 23. ELECTION UPDATE; BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS; VECTOR BUILDING; EAST CENTRAL COMMISSIONERS; COMMISSION BUDGET MEETING, Committee reports Mr. Montplaisir said he hopes to have the first draft of the general election ballot back from the printer by the end of next week, and it will be posted on the county website. Mrs. Johnson attended the recent dedication of the newly remodeled Grand Forks County Courthouse. She also reported on buildings and grounds work, including installation of new parking lot gates and card readers. With torrential rains over the weekend, she said the social service director's office at the Annex received water damage and the estimate is $5,000 to make repairs. Mrs. Johnson said the Vector Building Committee is scheduled to meet at 2:00 PM on September 23, 2004, to continue the planning process for a proposed building project. The East Central Commissioners Association is meeting at the Fargo Doublewood Inn on September 13, 2004, beginning at 9:30 AM with a class on "Veterans in the Workplace" at 10:00 AM, presented by the North Dakota Association of Counties Institute of Local Governments.