12-18-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--December 18, 1990 583 States Attorney Robert Hoy said he will provide some written comments on the proposed contract. He said contract language automatically requires the County to pay an additional two months if the County cancels the contract. Also, he thinks the contract should be for an annual period renewable on agreement instead of automatically renewed. MOTION, passed Mr. Eckert moved and Mr. Sondrall seconded to refer the proposed Employee Assistance Program contract to Commissioner-elect Steve Risher, who is assigned that portfolio, for the purpose of follow-up with the affected departments (Personnel and States Attorney) and that Mr. Risher try to make a recommendation at the January 22nd Commission meeting. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 14. DETOX, Jail physician concerned about Fargo Municipal Judge's program Fargo Municipal Judge Thomas Davies intends to hold in jail the approximately 500 people who are arrested for DUI in Fargo each year until their blood alcohol level has reached one-half of the legal intoxication level. In a letter to Commission Chairman Gene Shannon dated December 14, 1990, Dr. Richard D. Lenzmeier, medical authority for the Cass County Jail, said Judge Davies' proposal to hold DUI offenders for up to 24 hours does not address the safety of those persons whi'le in the custody of the County. Dr. Lenzmeier said earlier this year, the County Commission instructed jail staff to stop accepting "detox" admissions because of the lack of available staff to safely observe the drunk prisoners and to provide timely medical assistance, should it be needed. Dr. Lenzmeier said intoxicated people held in a jail to sober up are at a higher suicide risk. Medical problems a person already has can be aggravated by the use of alcohol. Lt. Walt Willis said the jail only has five holding cells in the drunk tank, and the people placed there are basically unsupervised except for every half hour, which is the requirement of State law. Dr. Lenzmeier suggested surveillance by cameras or assigning one staff person to stay inside that cell block at all times when someone is being held there. Sheriff Don Rudnick said he requested one additional staff person for the jail in the 1991 budget. That was put on hold until another personnel issue in the department is settled. He thinks the City of Fargo and Cass County officials need to work out a solution together. States Attorney Robert Hoy said Cass County cannot allow the City of Fargo to put an additional 500 people in a jail facility that is not capable of handling that without doing something to improve the jail situation. He said the county can cut back on the number of people they allow in the jail or pay for additional staff to accommodate this new program from the City of Fargo. Mr. Shannon asked Lt. Willis if he has additional part-time help available who are at least minimally trained in CPR. Mr. Willis said he has five part-time staff available who are either scheduled or on