12-02-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

15. 16. 17. Commission Minutes--December 2, 1996 1549 CONTRACT APPROVAL, Far~_o Cass Public Health--jail nursing services; Sheriff's Department--North Dakota Department of Transportation Traffic Enforcement; Social Services--Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency, North Dakota Department of Human Services and Fargo Cass Public Health MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Ness seconded to approve the following contracts submitted by respective department head and portfolio commissioner, subject to State's Attorney approval; and authorize the chairman to sign. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. Fargo Cass Public Health for jail nursing services North Dakota Department of Transportation for 1997 Traffic Enforcement Grant Social Services--a)Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency (Partnership Project); b) North Dakota Department of Human Services (Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement); c) Fargo Cass Public Health (Home Health Aid), (Homemaker Contract), and (OPOP). LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT, Public hearing on expenditure of grant funds Glenn Ellingsberg, Sheriffs Department, stated this was the time and place advertised for a public hearing on the expenditure of 1997 Law Enforcement Block Grant funds. Funds in the amount of $18,614 were awarded to Cass County by the federal government, and the Sheriffs Department intends to use the funds for law enforcement equipment and to enhance courthouse security. The chairman opened the public hearing and invited comments from the audience on the block grant funding. MOTION, passed Hearing no comments from the public, Mr. Wieland moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to close the public hearing. Motion carried. STATE'S ATTORNEY Response to investigations Jim Strommen, attorney with Kennedy and Graven of Minneapolis, MN, was present at the Board's request and outlined options for Commission action regarding possible inappropriate conduct and employee morale problems in the State's Attorney's Office (SAO). Mr. Strommen's prepared materials included issues for Commission decision, relevant factual information, relevant legal duties, authority and limitations, and decision options. He referred to the investigations conducted by Barbara Jerich concerning alleged inappropriate relationships and by Scott Kildahl regarding work environment and management problems. Mr. Strommen said the Board of Commissioners is obligated by North Dakota law to provide a work environment for employees that is free from harassment and retaliation. Further, the county must respond in a timely and appropriate manner to any complaint of harassment or retaliation brought by an employee. Mr. Strommen said the Commission held three closed meetings in anticipation of litigation, however, at this point, discussions relating to the investigation must be held in an open forum.