01-13-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

6361 Legislative mtgs. to be held Sat. mornings Hearing on policy changes smoking ban consumption of food beverages, wall hangings Cths..parking lots disc. Comm. asks coopera- tion of all tenants in Co. bldgs. District Court present Co. Eng. wishes to make salary adjust- ments Rd. Supt. auth. out of state travel Bldg. Auth. action approved Cthse. north wing remodeling- partial payments PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CASS COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA Child Support- -repor A memo was received from Bonnie Johnson, Child Support Enforcement Director, informing the on collections Commission of the first one million dollar year in collections. The Board stated that she should be commended for this accomplishment. The Chairman suggested holding informational meetings Saturday mornings on legislative issues during the 1987 Legislative Session, and he instructed Administrative Assistant Scott Krueger to send a memo to department heads welcoming them to attend the meetings if they are interested in a certain issue or if they plan to travel to Bismarck to testify. The first meeting will be held Saturday, January 24th, and every other Saturday thereafter. The Commission scheduled a hearing to discuss future policies on a ban on smoking, consumption of food and beverages, and wall hangings in County offices. Several County employees and department heads were in attendance. On the issue of smoking in County buildings, Mrs. Stanton felt it should be banned entirely. Mr. Larson suggested helping employees who smoke seek medical assistance to try to stop smoking because it can cause medical problems. Mr. Sondrall felt the Commission should allow smoking in restrooms, hallways and part of the lunchroom. Aside from County employees, the department heads questioned how to enforce a smoking ban among Courthouse patrons. Mr. Wieland stated that a large number of public buildings have banned smoking, including the State Capitol Building in St. Paul, MN. He suggested writing for information on how they enforce it. Employee Glenn Ellingsberg suggested that the County follow a policy similar to that of a local hospital whereby smoking is not allowed on the upper floors, but an area is designated for smoking on the main floor. He also recommended receptacles for disposing of cigarettes so that they are not extinguished on the carpeting. By a show of hands, all employees and department heads present favored designating an area in the Courthouse for smoking, rather than a total ban within the confines of the Courthouse. On the issue of food and beverages in County offices, Mr. Wieland stated that the Commission is considering designating a brown -bag lunch area in the present lunchroom after it is moved to the South Wing. He suggested that County departments who own microwave ovens and refrigerators move them to the brown -bag area rather than having them in individual offices. Mrs. Stanton also suggested discontinuing the use of coffee pots in" individual offices and not allowing employees to have coffee at their desks. Mr. Wieland informed the group that one of the Commission's main concerns is stains or burns in the new carpeting. Employee Jim Thoreson suggested that the Commission utilize the committee which drafted the Personnel Policy Manual to view new policies on the above matters, and Mr. Wieland stated that he intended to do this. On the issue of wall hangings in County offices, Mr. Wieland asked that nothing be hung on the walls in outer offices and in hallways until the County organizes an Art Committee. The Commission has talked about providing bulletin boards. Mr. Wieland also addres the issue of parking in County parking lots. He and Commissioner Don Eckert are working with Sheriff Don Rudnick on a parking permit system. He outlined the use of the County's parking lots at the present time, and stated that he hoped there would be sufficient parking spaces when the County Social Services Department moves to the South Wing. Mr. Wieland stated that the Commission will ask for the cooperation of all tenants in County buildings. Mr. Larson suggested ihviting someone from the District Court staff, who are State employees, to attend meetings in connection with the County's policies since they occupy the third floor of the Courthouse and North Wing. Mr. Wieland stated that he did not see any reason why the District Court would not be in full cooperation in consideration of the space the County provides them. District Court Judge Lawrence Leclerc and Court Administrator Richard Sletten were present and stated that they would be in agreement. Regarding policy changes on the above issues, Mrs. Stanton suggested a change in the smoking policy as soon as possible, and Mr. Wieland stated that the Commission could act on that issue next week when a full Board is present. County Engineer Don Richards indicated that he will appear before the Salary Review Committee on Friday regarding in-house staff adjustments. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Larson seconded to authorize County Road Superintendent Steve Grindberg to attend two days of a seminar and equipment demonstration in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the end of February, 1987, at a cost not to exceed $725.00. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. The Chairman recessed for a meeting of the Cass County Building Authority and upon reconvening, Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Larson seconded to approve Building Authority action for payment of Disbursement Direction #19 in the amount of $80,961.90. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Larson seconded to approve partial payment #6 to.Meinecke- Johnson Company in the amount of $1,539.00 for the North Wing remodeling. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Sondrall moved and Mrs. Stanton seconded to approve partial payment #5 to Dakota Electric Construction Company in the amount of $1,763.65 for the North Wing remodeling. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.